Testing lifecourse models whereby juvenile and adult adversity combine to influence speed of biological aging

• In Event: 4311 - Early Adversity and Adult Health

Abstract

The present study extends prior research on the link 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 controls for life style factors such as smoking, diet, and exercise.

Authors

• Ronald L. Simons, University of Georgia

• Man Kit Lei, University of Georgia

• Leslie Gordon Simons, University of Georgia