scholarly journals Childhood Adversity and Adult Health: The Role of Developmental Timing and Associations With Accelerated Aging

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madelon M. E. Riem ◽  
Annemiek Karreman
Keyword(s):  
Accelerated Aging ◽  
Childhood Adversity ◽  
Adult Health ◽  
Fat Percentage ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Physical Problems ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Age Range

Childhood adversity has been associated with poor adult health. However, it is unclear whether timing of adversity matters in this association and whether adversity is related to poorer age-related physical health status. A representative sample of the adult Dutch population ( N = 3,586, age M = 54.94, age range = 18–92) completed surveys on health and diagnoses of age-related diseases. Information about weight and fat percentage was collected using weighing scales and childhood experiences were assessed retrospectively. Adversity was associated with higher body mass index and fat percentage, more physical problems, and high cholesterol, and this association was most pronounced in individuals with experiences of adversity during early adolescence. In addition, individuals with adversity more often reported physical problems or a medical diagnosis at a younger age. This study indicates that (1) timing of exposure to adversity matters in the relationship between experienced childhood adversity and health and (2) adversity is associated with a higher prevalence of age-related diseases at earlier ages.

Ageism, Personal and Others’ Perceptions of Age Awareness, and Their Interactive Effect on Subjective Accelerated Aging

2020 ◽  
pp. 073346482096720
Author(s):  
Yoav S. Bergman ◽  
Yuval Palgi
Keyword(s):  
Interactive Effect ◽  
Accelerated Aging ◽  
Self And Other ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Negative Perceptions ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Age Range ◽  
Moderating Role ◽  
Age Awareness

Ageism has been associated with negative perceptions of the future and the aging process. The current study argues that this connection is affected by the relevance older adults attribute to the cognitive category of age in their own self-appraisal, as well as by how they perceive this awareness in others. Accordingly, we examined the association between ageism and subjective accelerated aging (i.e., the rate the individual feels he or she is aging) and the moderating role of self-age awareness and other-age awareness on this connection. Data were collected from 267 participants (age range = 40–95; M = 64.32, SD = 14.09), using scales assessing ageism, self/other age awareness, and subjective accelerated aging. High ageism levels were associated with increased subjective accelerated aging. Moreover, this connection was moderated by both self- and other-age awareness. The study enhances the importance of personal appraisals of one’s own and others’ behaviors as age-related in this context.

scholarly journals Loxl2 is a mediator of cardiac aging in Drosophila melanogaster; genetically examining the role of aging clock genes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark J Bouska ◽  
Hua Bai
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Clock Genes ◽  
Turning Points ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Human Orthologs ◽  
Age Range ◽  
Transcriptional Target

Abstract Transcriptomic, proteomic, and methylation aging clocks demonstrate that aging has a predictable preset program, while Transcriptome Trajectory Turning Points indicate that the 20 to 40 age range in humans is the likely stage at which the progressive loss of homeostatic control, and in turn aging, begins to have detrimental effects. Turning points in this age range overlapping with human aging clock genes revealed five candidates that we hypothesized could play a role in aging or age-related physiological decline. To examine these gene’s effects on lifespan and health-span, we utilized whole body and heart specific gene knockdown of human orthologs in Drosophila melanogaster. Whole body Loxl2, fz3, and Glo1 RNAi positively affected lifespan as did heart-specific Loxl2 knockdown. Loxl2 inhibition concurrently reduced age-related cardiac arrythmia and collagen (Pericardin) fiber width. Loxl2 binds several transcription factors in humans and RT-qPCR confirmed that a conserved transcriptional target CDH1 (Drosophila CadN2), has expression levels which correlate with Loxl2 reduction in Drosophila. These results point to conserved pathways and multiple mechanisms by which inhibition of Loxl2 can be beneficial to heart health and organismal aging.

Epigenetic mechanisms activated by childhood adversity

Epigenomics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (14) ◽  
pp. 1239-1255
Author(s):  
Bernardo J Krause ◽  
Rocio Artigas ◽  
Andres F Sciolla ◽  
James Hamilton
Keyword(s):  
Immune Function ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Childhood Adversity ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Epigenetic Mechanisms ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Epigenetic Programming ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
Pituitary Adrenal Axis

Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) impair health and life expectancy and may result in an epigenetic signature that drives increased morbidity primed during early stages of life. This literature review focuses on the current evidence for epigenetic-mediated programming of brain and immune function resulting from ACE. To address this aim, a total of 88 articles indexed in PubMed before August 2019 concerning ACE and epigenetics were surveyed. Current evidence partially supports epigenetic programming of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, but convincingly shows that ACE impairs immune function. Additionally, the needs and challenges that face this area are discussed in order to provide a framework that may help to clarify the role of epigenetics in the long-lasting effects of ACE.

scholarly journals Assessing the Foundational Studies on Adverse Childhood Experiences

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 435-443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dimitra Hartas
Keyword(s):  
Child Development ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Family Policy ◽  
Childhood Adversity ◽  
Adult Health ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
Family Level ◽  
Foundational Research ◽  
The Uk

This article critically reviews the foundational studies carried out by Felitti in the US and Bellis in the UK and their colleagues examining the relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and adult health and morbidity. These studies have paved the way for much research on childhood adversity and its impact on child development and brain functioning at a family level. ACEs have gained traction in the UK in terms of policy targeting dysfunctional families through early intervention to stop the intergenerational effects of adverse childhood experiences. This article questions the foundational research that argues for family-level, parent-based intervention, especially in light of substantial evidence about the biological embedding of poverty and the direct links between disadvantage and child development. It also hopes to raise awareness about the contested nature of ACEs and their growing influence on family policy.

Relational resilience as a potential mediator between adverse childhood experiences and prenatal depression

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 545-557 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn H Howell ◽  
Laura E Miller-Graff ◽  
Lauren M Schaefer ◽  
Kathryn E Scrafford
Keyword(s):  
Standard Error ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Childhood Adversity ◽  
Prenatal Depression ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Sense Of Security ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
Relational Resilience ◽  
Relational Qualities

This study examined the indirect effects of individual, relational, and contextual resilience in the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and prenatal depression. Participants included 101 pregnant women. Adverse childhood experiences had a direct effect on depression, B = 1.11, standard error = .44, p = .01, and relational resilience, B = −1.15, standard error = .19, p < .001, but not individual or contextual resilience. With resilience as a mediator, the effect of adverse childhood experiences on depression was no longer significant. Specifically, relational resilience had a significant indirect effect (IE) on the association between adverse childhood experiences and depression, IE = 1.04, boot standard error  = .28 (95% confidence interval  = .58, 1.68). Results emphasize the associated role of relational qualities, such as sense of security and belongingness, with childhood adversity and mental health.

A Creative Culture Where It Is Hard to Make a Living

2011 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pascal Lefèvre ◽  
Morgan Di Salvia
Keyword(s):  
Educational Background ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Professional Activities ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
French Speaking ◽  
The Government ◽  
Age Range ◽  
First Time

On the initiative of the research office of the non-profit SMartBe Professional Association for Creative Professions, an exploratory survey into the current socio-economic circumstances of comics authors and illustrators in Belgium has been undertaken for the first time. The replies of 191 French-speaking and 72 Dutch-speaking artists to the online questionnaire have given an idea of the profile of comics authors and illustrators in Belgium (in terms of gender, age, place of residence, educational background), their professional activities and the type of publications in which their work appears, and their employment status and income. The results show that, in general, their monthly income falls below the Belgian median, and that many artists, particularly in the younger age range, are reliant on supplementing their earnings from other sources. A number of differences emerged between the situation of French-speaking and Dutch-speaking artists. The role of creative grants (especially subsidies from the government) is shown to be crucial.

scholarly journals Mentalizing and its role as a mediator in the relationship between childhood experiences and adult functioning: Exploring the empirical evidence

Psihologija ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather Macintosh
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Psychological Functioning ◽  
Childhood Adversity ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Adult Functioning ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Mediator Variable

The introduction of the concept of mentalizing into psychoanalytic discourse has provided researchers with an important tool for beginning to understand the mechanisms mediating the relationships between childhood experiences and later psychological functioning. Researchers have made strong statements regarding the strength of this mediational relationship in their movement toward the building of novel and efficacious intervention approaches. The goal of this systematic review was to critically examine the empirical evidence for these statements. Five unique studies were identified that assessed the relationships between the variables of attachment and/or childhood adversity, mentalizing and adult functioning. Some preliminary evidence for the role of mentalizing as an important mediator variable was identified. However, researchers were cautioned to continue to engage in further empirical study to ensure that theoretical explorations do not overstate or move too far beyond the empirical research findings.

scholarly journals LONGITUDINAL HEALTH CONSEQUENCES OF CHILDHOOD ADVERSITY: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF PURPOSE IN LIFE

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S57-S58
Author(s):  
Kristin J Homan
Keyword(s):  
Functional Limitations ◽  
Purpose In Life ◽  
Childhood Adversity ◽  
The United States ◽  
Subjective Health ◽  
Adult Health ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
Two Measures

Abstract Adverse childhood experiences have long-term detrimental effects on physical health. Although biological, behavioral, and social factors have been explored as intermediate mechanisms, little research has explored psychosocial factors as potential mediators. This study examined whether purpose in life longitudinally mediates the relationship between childhood adversity and two measures of adult health (self-rated health and functional limitations). Data were obtained from 3,871 participants in the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study. We tested a cross-lagged mediation model from childhood adversity to adult health via purpose in life, controlling for baseline measures of health and purpose in life. Good model fit was achieved indicating that childhood adversity is associated with poorer adult health through direct and mediated paths. Childhood adversity may restrict young people’s search for purpose in life, and reduced purpose in life is ultimately associated with poorer subjective health and increased functional limitations.

Social and Temporal Comparisons as Moderators of Psychological Resources Associations With Wellbeing

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 96-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hasida Ben-Zur
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Subjective Wellbeing ◽  
Social Comparisons ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Psychological Resources ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Age Range ◽  
General Wellbeing

Abstract. The current study investigated the associations of psychological resources, social comparisons, and temporal comparisons with general wellbeing. The sample included 142 community participants (47.9% men; age range 23–83 years), who compared themselves with others, and with their younger selves, on eight dimensions (e.g., physical health, resilience). They also completed questionnaires assessing psychological resources of mastery and self-esteem, and three components of subjective wellbeing: life satisfaction and negative and positive affect. The main results showed that high levels of psychological resources contributed to wellbeing, with self-enhancing social and temporal comparisons moderating the effects of resources on certain wellbeing components. Specifically, under low levels of mastery or self-esteem self-enhancing social or temporal comparisons were related to either higher life satisfaction or positive affect. The results highlight the role of resources and comparisons in promoting people’s wellbeing, and suggest that self-enhancing comparisons function as cognitive coping mechanisms when psychological resources are low.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document