The Impact of Early Childhood Life Adversity on Peripubertal Accelerated Epigenetic Aging and Psychopathology.

OBJECTIVE: To examine longitudinal associations between early life threat and deprivation on epigenetic age acceleration at ages 9 and 15, and examine associations of age acceleration on later internalizing and externalizing symptoms.

METHOD: The study examines a large (n= 2,039) and racially diverse (Black/African American = 44%, Latino = 18%, White = 5 %) sample from a national dataset. Epigenetic age acceleration was estimated using the pediatric buccal epigenetic clock. Early life threat and deprivation were measured using composites from the Parent-Child Conflict Tactics Scale and county-level violent and property crime rate data. Internalizing and externalizing symptoms came from parent-reported Child Behavior Checklist. Path analysis models examined associations of threat and deprivation at age 3 on epigenetic age acceleration at ages 9 and 15. Experiences of threat were further broken down into threat experienced in the home and in the community.

RESULTS: Home threat experienced at 3 predicted age acceleration at 9 and 15, and community threat experienced at 3 predicted age acceleration at 15, but not 9. Deprivation was not a significant predictor of accelerated aging. Age acceleration at age 9 predicted externalizing, but not internalizing, symptoms at 15. Community threat had a direct effect on externalizing. No association emerged with internalizing.

CONCLUSION: Findings revealed that threat, not deprivation, was predictive of age acceleration, demonstrating support for this pattern longitudinally, using an epigenetic clock that is accurate in children. They provide critical nuance to the examination of threat and highlight associated risks and possible intervention points for externalizing symptoms.