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He X, Yang H. Longitudinal association of adverse childhood experiences with cognitive function trajectories among middle-aged and older adults: group-based trajectory modeling. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1440265. [PMID: 39165500 PMCID: PMC11333235 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1440265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) impact cognitive function, but the relationship remains unclear. We aim to identify cognitive function trajectories and scrutinize the correlation between ACEs and cognitive function. Methods To identify cognitive trajectories, we employed a group-based trajectory model, and influential factors were determined using multinomial unordered logistic regression analysis. Results Three cognitive decline subgroups emerged: low-start decline, high-start stability, and mid-start decline. There is no dose-response relationship between cumulative adverse childhood experiences and cognitive function. The high-start stability group had specific residence and education traits, while sibling death affected them. The mid-start decline group was vulnerable to parental death, physical abuse, and domestic violence. The low-start decline group should consider age structure and childhood friendships. Conclusions No dose-response association between cumulative ACEs and cognitive decline. Still, specific ACE metrics are correlated with cognitive trajectories. We can incorporate patients' ACEs into cognitive function assessments for early risk factor identification and tailored interventions. Moreover, recognizing the influence of early-life experiences on cognitive function, we can advocate for nurturing positive family and societal environments to optimize cognitive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyue He
- School of Nursing, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Hui Yang
- Department of Nursing, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
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Olowoyo P, Adeniji O, Akinyemi R, Owolabi M. Maintenance of brain health: The role of social determinants of health and other non-traditional cardiovascular risks. CEREBRAL CIRCULATION - COGNITION AND BEHAVIOR 2024; 6:100213. [PMID: 39071740 PMCID: PMC11273091 DOI: 10.1016/j.cccb.2024.100213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Brain health is the complete functioning of the brain across the life course to support the full physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being and quality of life of an individual towards attaining and maintaining the epitome of a meaningful, impactful, purposeful, and productive life. The determinants of brain health are complex and include at least in part, non-traditional risks such as interactions among social, economic, physical, and internal factors (e.g., emotions and adaptations to changing life experiences), and external factors such as environment, geography, and climate change. Thus, social determinants of health (e.g., where we work, live, and play) are those non-medical factors that influence health outcomes, and as non-traditional cardiovascular factors, may influence the development of traditional cardiovascular risks. Examples of the non-traditional cardiovascular factors include environmental stressors (e.g., climate change, air pollution), and psychological and physical abuse. In this article, we provide a discussion of social determinants of health and other non-traditional cardiovascular risks as they relate to brain health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Olowoyo
- Department of Medicine, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
- Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti, Nigeria
| | - Olaleye Adeniji
- Neurology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Federal Medical Center, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
- Department of Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Rufus Akinyemi
- Department of Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
- Neuroscience and Ageing Research Unit, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Mayowa Owolabi
- Department of Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
- Centre for Genomic and Precision Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
- Lebanese American University of Beirut, Lebanon
- Blossom Specialist Medical Center, Ibadan, Nigeria
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Wang W, Xia X, Zhang H. Childhood Emotional Neglect and Cognitive Function Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults: Mediating Role of Social Engagement. JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE 2024; 39:828-847. [PMID: 37727995 DOI: 10.1177/08862605231198245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Studies have demonstrated that childhood maltreatment and adverse experiences lead to impaired cognitive function. However, relatively few studies have examined the independent effect of childhood emotional neglect on cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults, and the role of social engagement in this relationship. Using a sample from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, the current study examined the mediating role of social engagement in the association between childhood emotional neglect and cognitive function among middle-aged and older adults. Participants were 32,540 middle-aged and older adults (Mage = 63.45, SD = 8.83). Data were analyzed using a fixed effects model for panel data and bootstrap resampling method. Results showed that participants who experienced emotional neglect had poorer cognitive function (β = -.068, p < .001). Social engagement mediated 7.55% of the association between emotional neglect and cognitive function (β = -.004, 95% CI [-0.006, -0.002], p < .05). The results indicated that interventions are required to improve awareness of emotional neglect and facilitate healthy parenting practices. Further research on how to motivate adults who experienced emotional neglect to engage in social activities is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Wang
- Center for Studies of Sociological Theory and Method, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
- Department of Social Work and Social Policy, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Xinger Xia
- Center for Studies of Sociological Theory and Method, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Huiping Zhang
- Center for Studies of Sociological Theory and Method, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
- Department of Social Work and Social Policy, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
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4
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Liu J, Roberts AL, Lawn RB, Jha SC, Sampson L, Sumner JA, Kang JH, Rimm EB, Grodstein F, Liang L, Haneuse S, Kubzansky LD, Koenen KC, Chibnik LB. Post-traumatic stress disorder symptom remission and cognition in a large cohort of civilian women. Psychol Med 2024; 54:419-430. [PMID: 37577959 PMCID: PMC10947504 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291723001915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with cognitive impairments. It is unclear whether problems persist after PTSD symptoms remit. METHODS Data came from 12 270 trauma-exposed women in the Nurses' Health Study II. Trauma and PTSD symptoms were assessed using validated scales to determine PTSD status as of 2008 (trauma/no PTSD, remitted PTSD, unresolved PTSD) and symptom severity (lifetime and past-month). Starting in 2014, cognitive function was assessed using the Cogstate Brief Battery every 6 or 12 months for up to 24 months. PTSD associations with baseline cognition and longitudinal cognitive changes were estimated by covariate-adjusted linear regression and linear mixed-effects models, respectively. RESULTS Compared to women with trauma/no PTSD, women with remitted PTSD symptoms had a similar cognitive function at baseline, while women with unresolved PTSD symptoms had worse psychomotor speed/attention and learning/working memory. In women with unresolved PTSD symptoms, past-month PTSD symptom severity was inversely associated with baseline cognition. Over follow-up, both women with remitted and unresolved PTSD symptoms in 2008, especially those with high levels of symptoms, had a faster decline in learning/working memory than women with trauma/no PTSD. In women with remitted PTSD symptoms, higher lifetime PTSD symptom severity was associated with a faster decline in learning/working memory. Results were robust to the adjustment for sociodemographic, biobehavioral, and health factors and were partially attenuated when adjusted for depression. CONCLUSION Unresolved but not remitted PTSD was associated with worse cognitive function assessed six years later. Accelerated cognitive decline was observed among women with either unresolved or remitted PTSD symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxuan Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andrea L. Roberts
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rebecca B. Lawn
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shaili C. Jha
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Laura Sampson
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jennifer A. Sumner
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jae H. Kang
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eric B. Rimm
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Francine Grodstein
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Liming Liang
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sebastien Haneuse
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Laura D Kubzansky
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Karestan C. Koenen
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lori B. Chibnik
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA, USA
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Felt JM, Yusupov N, Harrington KD, Fietz J, Zhang Z“Z, Sliwinski MJ, Ram N, O'Donnell KJ, Meaney MJ, Putnam FW, Noll JG, Binder EB, Shenk CE. Epigenetic age acceleration as a biomarker for impaired cognitive abilities in adulthood following early life adversity and psychiatric disorders. Neurobiol Stress 2023; 27:100577. [PMID: 37885906 PMCID: PMC10597797 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2023.100577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Early life adversity and psychiatric disorders are associated with earlier declines in neurocognitive abilities during adulthood. These declines may be preceded by changes in biological aging, specifically epigenetic age acceleration, providing an opportunity to uncover genome-wide biomarkers that identify individuals most likely to benefit from early screening and prevention. Methods Five unique epigenetic age acceleration clocks derived from peripheral blood were examined in relation to latent variables of general and speeded cognitive abilities across two independent cohorts: 1) the Female Growth and Development Study (FGDS; n = 86), a 30-year prospective cohort study of substantiated child sexual abuse and non-abused controls, and 2) the Biological Classification of Mental Disorders study (BeCOME; n = 313), an adult community cohort established based on psychiatric disorders. Results A faster pace of biological aging (DunedinPoAm) was associated with lower general cognitive abilities in both cohorts and slower speeded abilities in the BeCOME cohort. Acceleration in the Horvath clock was significantly associated with slower speeded abilities in the BeCOME cohort but not the FGDS. Acceleration in the Hannum clock and the GrimAge clock were not significantly associated with either cognitive ability. Accelerated PhenoAge was associated with slower speeded abilities in the FGDS but not the BeCOME cohort. Conclusions The present results suggest that epigenetic age acceleration has the potential to serve as a biomarker for neurocognitive decline in adults with a history of early life adversity or psychiatric disorders. Estimates of epigenetic aging may identify adults at risk of cognitive decline that could benefit from early neurocognitive screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- John M. Felt
- Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University, United States
| | - Natan Yusupov
- Department Genes and Environment, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry - Munich, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School for Translational Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Germany
| | | | - Julia Fietz
- Department Genes and Environment, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry - Munich, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School for Translational Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Germany
| | | | - Martin J. Sliwinski
- Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University, United States
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, United States
| | - Nilam Ram
- Department of Communications, Stanford University, United States
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, United States
| | - Kieran J. O'Donnell
- Child Study Center, Yale University, United States
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Yale University, United States
- The Douglas Hospital Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Canada
- Child and Brain Development Program, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Canada
| | - BeCOME Working Group
- Department Genes and Environment, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry - Munich, Germany
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Michael J. Meaney
- The Douglas Hospital Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Canada
- Child and Brain Development Program, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Canada
- Singapore Institute of Clinical Sciences, Singapore
| | - Frank W. Putnam
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, United States
| | - Jennie G. Noll
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, United States
| | - Elisabeth B. Binder
- Department Genes and Environment, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry - Munich, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, United States
| | - Chad E. Shenk
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, United States
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Rosa M, Scassellati C, Cattaneo A. Association of childhood trauma with cognitive domains in adult patients with mental disorders and in non-clinical populations: a systematic review. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1156415. [PMID: 37425159 PMCID: PMC10327487 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1156415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the association between cognitive performances and the onset of psychiatric disorders has been widely investigated, limited research on the role of childhood trauma or early life stress (CT/ELS), and whether this role differs between clinical and non-clinical cohorts is available. This systematic review aims at filling this gap, testing whether the occurrence of CT/ELS and its subtypes are associated with cognitive domains (general cognitive ability, executive functions, working memory, attention, processing speed, verbal/visual memory) in patients with psychiatric disorders and in non-clinical populations. This study followed the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and the Newcastle-Ottawa scale for quality assessment. The search was performed until May 2022. Seventy-four studies were classified as eligible. The graphical representations of the results reported an association between exposure to CT/ELS and worse general cognitive ability, verbal/visual memory, processing speed and attention in patients affected by anxiety, mood and psychotic disorders, and that specific CT/ELS subtypes (physical neglect, physical/sexual abuse) can differentially influence specific cognitive abilities (executive functions, attention, working memory, verbal/visual memory). In non-clinical cohorts we found associations between CT/ELS exposure and impairments in executive functions, processing speed and working memory, while physical neglect was related to general cognitive ability and working memory. Concerning the emotional abuse/neglect subtypes in both populations, the results indicated their involvement in cognitive functioning; however, the few studies conducted are not enough to reach definitive conclusions. These findings suggest an association of CT/ELS with specific cognitive deficits and psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Rosa
- Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Catia Scassellati
- Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Annamaria Cattaneo
- Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Lynch KS, Widom CS. Childhood maltreatment and cognitive functioning in middle adulthood. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2022; 132:105791. [PMID: 35907334 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood maltreatment (physical abuse, sexual abuse, and/or neglect) is associated with cognitive deficits in adulthood. Little is known about how childhood maltreatment affects the trajectory of cognitive functioning during early to middle adulthood. OBJECTIVE To explore the relationship between childhood maltreatment and change in cognitive functioning over a 10-year period in adulthood. METHODS Utilizing a prospective cohort design, a large group of court-substantiated cases of childhood maltreatment (ages 0-11) and demographically matched controls were followed into adulthood (N = 1196). Verbal intelligence and reading ability were assessed at age 29, and executive functioning was assessed at age 41. Linear, mixed-effects modeling was used to evaluate childhood maltreatment as a predictor of cognitive functioning and change in cognitive functioning over time. RESULTS Childhood maltreatment was associated with lower cognitive functioning at age 29 compared to controls (β = -0.28, p < .001), and this association was stronger for childhood neglect (β = -0.33, p < .001). Controls declined in cognitive functioning over the 10-year period (β = -0.12, p = .039), whereas childhood maltreatment overall was associated with no change. Adults with histories of neglect demonstrated an increase in cognitive functioning (β = 0.13, p = .021). CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that childhood maltreatment is associated with cognitive functioning deficits in adulthood and suggest that cognitive change in adulthood may be differentially impacted by type of maltreatment. The initial deficit demonstrated by adults with childhood neglect was largely erased by a subsequent increase in cognitive functioning over 10 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin S Lynch
- Psychology Department, John Jay College, City University of New York, United States of America; Graduate Center, City University of New York, United States of America.
| | - Cathy Spatz Widom
- Psychology Department, John Jay College, City University of New York, United States of America; Graduate Center, City University of New York, United States of America
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Jimenez MP, Elliott EG, DeVille NV, Laden F, Hart JE, Weuve J, Grodstein F, James P. Residential Green Space and Cognitive Function in a Large Cohort of Middle-Aged Women. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e229306. [PMID: 35476063 PMCID: PMC9047638 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.9306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Green space can decelerate cognitive decline by supporting physical activity, psychological restoration, or reducing exposure to air pollution. However, existing studies on the association of green space with cognitive decline are limited. Objective To examine whether residential green space was associated with cognitive function in middle-aged women. Design, Setting, and Participants Starting in 1989, the Nurses' Health Study II enrolled 116 429 female nurses aged 25 to 42 years residing in the US. In 2014 to 2016, 40 082 women were invited to complete an online cognitive battery. This cohort study analyzed women who had data on both green space exposure and cognitive measures. Data analysis was conducted from June to October 2021. Exposures Residential exposure to green space was assessed using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, a satellite-derived indicator of the quantity of ground vegetation. Landsat satellite data at 270-m and 1230-m buffers around each participants' residential addresses in 2013 were used. Main Outcomes and Measures In 2014 to 2016, cognitive function was measured using a self-administered online battery, the Cogstate Brief Battery, consisting of 4 tasks measuring psychomotor speed, attention, learning, and working memory; 3 composite scores, averaging together all tasks, psychomotor speed/attention, and learning/working memory, were created. In addition, the study evaluated potential mediators, including air pollution, depression, and physical activity. Results The analytical sample included 13 594 women, of whom 13 293 (98%) were White. Mean (SD) age was 61.2 (4.6) years. In models adjusted for age at assessment, race, childhood, adulthood, and neighborhood socioeconomic status, green space was associated with higher scores on the global Cogstate composite (mean difference per IQR in green space, 0.05; 95% CI, 0.02 to 0.07), and psychomotor speed/attention (mean difference in score, 0.05 standard units; 95% CI, 0.02 to 0.08). This difference in scores is similar to the difference observed in women 1 year apart in age in the data. By contrast, there was no association between green space and learning/working memory (mean difference, 0.0300; 95% CI, -0.0003 to 0.0500). Conclusions and Relevance These findings suggest that increasing residential green space may be associated with modest benefits in cognition in middle-aged women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcia P. Jimenez
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
- Now with Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Elise G. Elliott
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Nicole V. DeVille
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Francine Laden
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jaime E. Hart
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jennifer Weuve
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Francine Grodstein
- Department of Internal Medicine, Rush Medical College, Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Peter James
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
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Thomas PA, Williams-Farrelly MM, Sauerteig MR, Ferraro KF. Childhood Stressors, Relationship Quality, and Cognitive Health in Later Life. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2022; 77:1361-1371. [PMID: 35085393 PMCID: PMC9255934 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbac007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The rising prevalence of cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, and related disorders signals the need for a better understanding of how social factors may affect cognitive health for millions of Americans. Drawing from cumulative inequality theory, we aim to understand the implications of a stressful childhood on social relationships and cognitive health in later life. METHODS This study utilizes longitudinal data (2006-2016) from the Health and Retirement Study to examine pathways, both direct and indirect through social relationships in adulthood, from childhood stressors to cognitive health trajectories over time. RESULTS Respondents reporting a greater number of stressors in childhood had worse cognitive health over time, but those negative effects were not as steep as time progressed. Early-life stressors are also associated with less social support and more social strain in adulthood which, in turn, are associated with initial cognitive health. Finally, pathway analyses confirm that childhood stressors are indirectly associated with initial cognitive health through social strain and social support. DISCUSSION Findings reveal that a stressful childhood creates chains of risks that have lifelong implications for cognitive health, both directly and indirectly by creating obstacles for developing healthy and supportive social relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia A Thomas
- Address correspondence to: Patricia A. Thomas, PhD, Department of Sociology, Purdue University, 700 West State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA. E-mail:
| | | | - Madison R Sauerteig
- Department of Sociology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA,Center on Aging and the Life Course, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Kenneth F Ferraro
- Department of Sociology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA,Center on Aging and the Life Course, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
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