Associations between Positive and Negative Social Experiences and Epigenetic Aging

• In Event: 30664 - Social Ties and Networks Across the Life Course

Abstract

Associations between positive and negative social experiences and epigenetic aging are not well understood. We examined associations between positive and negative social experiences and epigenetic aging using data from the Midlife in the United States Study (MIDUS). Participant reports of social experiences were assessed at survey waves closest to the subsequent collection of blood samples for DNA methylation testing and epigenetic clock calculation from 2004-2009 (MIDUS Core Sample) or 2012-2016 (MIDUS Refresher Sample). Self-reported positive (e.g., marriage, attendance at social meetings) and negative (e.g., parent’s drug problems, incarceration) social experiences were measured. Epigenetic aging was assessed from blood DNA methylation using the GrimAge epigenetic clock. The sample (N = 1,309) was 55.5% female, 22.5% Black and averaged 51.3 (SD=12.5) years of age. In adjusted models, participants who reported positive social experiences such as being married and engaging in social meetings exhibited significantly decelerated GrimAge scores; participants who reported negative social experiences such as a parent experiencing drug problems, dropping out of school, and incarceration exhibited significantly accelerated GrimAge scores. Adjusted models found the sum of positive social experiences associated with decelerated GrimAge scores and that the sum of negative social experiences was associated with accelerated GrimAge scores. Respondents with a “net positive” ratio of positive to negative social experiences had GrimAge scores that were 4.63 years younger on average than those with “net negative” social experiences. Results suggest that negative social experiences accelerate while positive social experiences decelerate epigenetic aging.

Authors

• Holly G Prigerson, Weill Cornell Medicine

• David Russell, Appalachian State University

• Paul Maciejewski, Weill Cornell Medicine