MPC Member Publications

This database contains a listing of population studies publications written by MPC Members. Anyone can add a publication by an MPC student, faculty, or staff member to this database; new citations will be reviewed and approved by MPC administrators.

Full Citation

Title: Does biological age mediate the relationship between childhood adversity and depression? Insights from the Detroit Neighborhood Health Study

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2024

ISSN: 1873-5347

DOI: 10.1016/J.SOCSCIMED.2023.116440

PMID: 38039767

Abstract: The link between childhood adversity and adulthood depression is well-established; however, the underlying mechanisms are still being explored. Recent research suggests biological age may mediate the relationship between childhood adversity and depression in later life. This study examines if biological age mediates the relationship between childhood adversity and depression symptoms using an expanded set of biological age measures in an urban population-based cohort. Data from waves 1–3 of the Detroit Neighborhood Health Study (DNHS) were used in this analysis. Questions about abuse during childhood were coded to form a childhood adversity score similar to the Adverse Childhood Experience measure. Multiple dimensions of biological age, defined as latent variables, were considered, including systemic biological age (GrimAge, PhenoAge), epigenetic age (Horvath, SkinBlood), and immune age (cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus type 1, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6). Depression symptoms, modeled as a latent variable, were captured through the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Models were adjusted for age, gender, race, parent education, and past depressive symptoms. Total and direct effects of childhood adversity on depression symptoms and indirect effects mediated by biological age were estimated. For total and direct effects, we observed a dose-dependent relationship between cumulative childhood adversity and depression symptoms, with emotional abuse being particularly influential. However, contrary to prior studies, in this sample, we found few direct effects of childhood adversity on biological age or biological age on depression symptoms and no evidence of mediation through the measures of biological age considered in this study. Further research is needed to understand how childhood maltreatment experiences are embodied to influence health and wellness.

Url: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38039767/

User Submitted?: No

Authors: Martinez, Rae Anne M.; Howard, Annie Green; Fernández-Rhodes, Lindsay; Maselko, Joanna; Pence, Brian W.; Dhingra, Radhika; Galea, Sandro; Uddin, Monica; Wildman, Derek E.; Aiello, Allison E.

Periodical (Full): Social science & medicine (1982)

Issue:

Volume: 340

Pages:

Countries:

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