Childhood trauma is linked to epigenetic age deceleration in young adults with previous youth residential care placements

Abstract

Background: Early adversity increases the risk for mental and physical disorders as well aspremature death. Epigenetic processes, and altered epigenetic aging in particular, mightmediate these effects. While the literature that examined links between early adversity andepigenetic aging is growing, results have been heterogeneous.Objective: In the current work, we explored the link between early adversity and epigeneticaging in a sample of formerly out-of-home placed young adults.Method: A total of N = 117 young adults (32% women, age mean = 26.3 years, SD = 3.6 years)with previous youth residential care placements completed the Childhood TraumaQuestionnaire (CTQ) and the Life Events Checklist (LEC-R) and provided blood samples forthe analysis of DNA methylation using the Illumina Infinium MethylationEPIC BeadChipMicroarray. Epigenetic age was estimated using Hovarth’s and Hannum’s epigenetic clocks.Furthermore, Hovarth’s and Hannum’s epigenetic age residuals were calculated as a proxyof epigenetic aging by regressing epigenetic age on chronological age. The statisticalanalysis plan was preregistered (https://osf.io/b9ev8).Results: Childhood trauma (CTQ) was negatively associated with Hannum’s epigenetic ageresiduals, β = −.23, p = .004 when controlling for sex, BMI, smoking status and proportionalwhite blood cell type estimates. This association was driven by experiences of physicalneglect, β = −.25, p = .001. Lifetime trauma exposure (LEC-R) was not a significant predictorof epigenetic age residuals.Conclusion: Childhood trauma, and physical neglect in particular, was associated withdecelerated epigenetic aging in our sample. More studies focusing on formerlyinstitutionalized at-risk populations are needed to better understand which factors affectstress-related adaptations following traumatic experiences.