Early Socioeconomic Adversity and Young Adult Physical Illness: The Role of Body Mass Index and Depressive Symptoms

Abstract Purpose The present study investigated the psychophysiological inter- and intra-individual processes that mediate the linkage between childhood and/or adolescent socioeconomic adversities and adult health outcomes. Specifically, the proposed model examined the roles of youth depressive symp...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of adolescent health 2014-10, Vol.55 (4), p.556-563
Main Authors: Wickrama, K.A.S., Ph.D, Kwon, Josephine A., M.S, Oshri, Assaf, Ph.D, Lee, Tae Kyoung, M.S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
BMI
Body Mass Index
Child
Depression
Depressive symptoms
Early socioeconomic adversity
Ethnic Groups
Female
Health Status
Humans
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Pediatrics
Poverty
Public Assistance
Socioeconomic Factors
United States
Young Adult
Young adult health
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Summary:Abstract Purpose The present study investigated the psychophysiological inter- and intra-individual processes that mediate the linkage between childhood and/or adolescent socioeconomic adversities and adult health outcomes. Specifically, the proposed model examined the roles of youth depressive symptoms and body mass index (BMI) trajectories as mediators that explain the link between early adversity and young adults' general health and physical illnesses after controlling for gender, race or ethnicity, and earlier general health reports. Methods Using a nationally representative sample of 12,424 from National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health), this study used growth curve modeling to consider both the severity (initial level) and the change over time (deterioration or elevation) as psychophysiological mediators, thereby acknowledging multiple facets of depressive symptoms and BMI trajectories as psychophysiological mediators of early adversity to adult health. Results Results provide evidence for (1) the influence of early childhood and early adolescent cumulative socioeconomic adversity on both the initial levels and changes over time of depressive symptoms and BMI and (2) the independent influences depressive symptoms and BMI trajectories on the general health and the physical illnesses of young adults. Conclusions These findings contribute valuable knowledge to existing research by elucidating how early adversity exerts an enduring long-term influence on physical health problems in young adulthood; furthermore, this information suggests that effective intervention and prevention programs should incorporate multiple facets (severity and change over time) of multiple mechanisms (psychological and physiological).
ISSN:1054-139X
1879-1972
DOI:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2014.04.006