Childhood Abuse and Elevated Markers of Inflammation in Adulthood: Do the Effects Differ across Life Course Stages?

Chioun Lee, Princeton University

This study investigates the associations between early life trauma (childhood abuse) and inflammatory markers in adulthood. Using data from a biomarker study of the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS), I assess whether these associations vary by age and the extent to which these associations are mediated by 1) sleep quality, 2) body mass index (BMI), 3) perceived stress, and 4) family social ties. I find that in the younger age groups (ages 34-44 and 45-54), victims of childhood abuse have elevated markers of inflammation, compared to non-victims, but there are no significant differences in the older age groups (ages 55-64 and 65-84). Selective mortality-victim’s higher mortality rates than non-victims between MIDUS I and MIDUS II-contributes to the reduced gap in inflammatory markers in the older age groups. High BMI, poor sleep quality, and weak family social ties partially explain the associations.