To examine longitudinal associations between early life threat and deprivation on epigenetic age acceleration at ages 9 and 15 years, and to examine associations of age acceleration on later internalizing and externalizing symptoms. 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 years 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. Home threat experienced at age 3 years predicted age acceleration at 9 and 15, and community threat experienced at 3 predicted age acceleration at 15, but not at 9. Deprivation was not a significant predictor of accelerated aging. Age acceleration at age 9 predicted externalizing, but not internalizing, symptoms at age 15. Community threat had a direct effect on externalizing. No association emerged with internalizing. 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. The findings provide critical nuance to the examination of threat, and highlight associated risks and possible intervention points for externalizing symptoms.

中文翻译：

---

早期生活逆境对青春期加速表观遗传衰老和精神病理学的影响


研究早期生命威胁和剥夺与 9 岁和 15 岁时表观遗传年龄加速之间的纵向关联，并研究年龄加速与后来的内化和外化症状的关联。该研究调查了来自国家数据集的大量（n = 2,039）且种族多样化（黑人/非裔美国人 = 44%，拉丁裔 = 18%，白人 = 5%）的样本。使用儿童口腔表观遗传时钟来估计表观遗传年龄加速。使用亲子冲突策略量表和县级暴力和财产犯罪率数据的综合数据来衡量早期生命威胁和剥夺。内化和外化症状来自家长报告的儿童行为检查表。路径分析模型检查了 3 岁时威胁和剥夺与 9 岁和 15 岁时表观遗传年龄加速之间的关联。威胁经历被进一步细分为在家庭和社区中经历的威胁。 3 岁时经历的家庭威胁预示着 9 岁和 15 岁时的年龄加速，3 岁时经历的社区威胁预示着 15 岁时的年龄加速，但不是 9 岁时的年龄加速。剥夺并不是加速衰老的重要预测因素。 9 岁时的年龄加速预示着 15 岁时的外化症状，但不是内化症状。社区威胁对外化有直接影响。与内化没有出现任何联系。研究结果显示，威胁而非剥夺可以预测年龄的加速，使用在儿童中准确的表观遗传时钟，证明了对这种模式的纵向支持。研究结果为威胁检查提供了关键的细微差别，并强调了相关风险和外化症状的可能干预点。