Community Threat, Positive Parenting, and Accelerated Epigenetic Aging: Longitudinal Links from Childhood to Adolescence
2024

Community Threat, Positive Parenting, and Epigenetic Aging

Sample size: 2039 publication

Author Information

Author(s): Metrailer Georgette, Tavares Karina, Pault Mikayla Ver, Lopez Adamari, Denherder Shane, Hernandez Valencia Everlyn, DiMarzio Karissa, Highlander April, Merrill Sarah M., Rojo-Wissar Darlynn M., Parent Justin

Primary Institution: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

Hypothesis

Positive parenting can buffer the effects of early life adversity on epigenetic aging.

Conclusion

Positive parenting slows down epigenetic aging in children living in low-threat communities.

Supporting Evidence

  • Positive parenting reduces the pace of epigenetic aging in low community-threat environments.
  • The study included data from 2,039 children over a longitudinal period.

Takeaway

Kids who have good parenting in safe neighborhoods age slower on the inside than those in tough situations.

Methodology

Data from children aged 3 to 15 were analyzed, measuring parenting and community threat alongside epigenetic aging.

Participant Demographics

49.7% female, 46.7% Black, 26.5% Hispanic, 19% White non-Hispanic.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1101/2024.12.23.24319484

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