Community Threat, Positive Parenting, and Accelerated Epigenetic Aging
Author Information
Author(s): Metrailer Georgette, Tavares Karina, Ver Pault Mikayla, Lopez Adamari, Denherder Shane, Valencia Everlyn Hernandez, DiMarzio Karissa, Highlander April, Merrill Sarah M., Rojo-Wissar Darlynn M., Parent Justin
Primary Institution: University of Rhode Island
Hypothesis
Positive parenting practices at ages 3, 5, and 9 will buffer the detrimental effects of threat-based early life adversity on accelerated epigenetic aging in adolescence.
Conclusion
Positive parenting reduces the pace of epigenetic aging in low, but not high, community-threat environments.
Supporting Evidence
- Positive parenting practices are essential in shaping children’s developmental experiences.
- Children exposed to early life adversity often exhibit increased epigenetic age acceleration.
- High levels of community threat weaken the effect of positive parenting on pace of aging.
- Adolescents demonstrated the slowest epigenetic pace of aging when exposed to high levels of positive parenting and low levels of community threat.
Takeaway
Kids who have supportive parents age better biologically, especially if they don't live in dangerous neighborhoods.
Methodology
Data from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study was used to examine the effects of early life adversity and positive parenting on epigenetic aging.
Potential Biases
The study's focus on a specific demographic may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Limitations
The sample was skewed towards economically disadvantaged families and may not represent the broader population.
Participant Demographics
The sample included 49.7% female, 46.7% Black, 26.5% Hispanic, and 19% White non-Hispanic children.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Confidence Interval
[0.006, 0.017]
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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