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Dong Q, Ma Q, Wang W, Wang J, Pluess M, Ma X. Environmental sensitivity moderates the longitudinal effect of fathers' positive parenting on mental disorders in Chinese adolescents. J Affect Disord 2024; 366:153-161. [PMID: 39214370 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.08.178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2024] [Revised: 08/25/2024] [Accepted: 08/26/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to fathers' positive parenting has been associated reducing mental disorder symptoms during adolescence, evidence on the mechanisms underlying this association is lacking. One potential mechanism linking fathers' positive parenting and mental disorders is environmental sensitivity (ES). Here we studied whether the increased positive behaviors of both parents (1) separately, (2) relatively, (3) and jointly predict reduced depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, suicidal ideation (SI), and increased well-being in Chinese adolescents. Additionally we investigated (4) whether ES moderates these relationships. METHODS This study involving 7010 Chinese adolescents (55.6 % girls) aged 15 to 18 from six junior high schools in Shaanxi, China was conducted at four timepoints. ES was assessed using the Highly Sensitive Child (HSC) scale at ages 15 and 16, parental positive behaviors using the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI) at ages 16 and 17, and psychopathology symptoms using the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and Positive and Negative Suicide Ideation (PANSI) Inventory at ages 17 and 18. RESULTS (1) Multilevel analyses revealed that increased positive parenting predicted reduced psychiatric disorder symptoms and improved well-being; (2) trend interaction indicated that the compensatory effect of fathers' positive parenting was stronger in alleviating mental problems in adolescents than that of mothers'; (3) Simple slope analyses suggested that both high levels of fathers' and mothers' positive parenting predicted fewer subsequent psychiatric disorder symptoms, particularly for sensitive adolescents. LIMITATIONS This study was limited to its generalizability to the Western Chinese adolescents. CONCLUSIONS Substantial differences in the effects of positive paternal and maternal parenting highlight the important role of fathers' positive parenting in mental development, especially for highly sensitive adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Dong
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Qingyan Ma
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Jing Wang
- Student Mental Health Education and Counseling Center, Shaanxi Energy Institute, Xi'an, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Michael Pluess
- School of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Xiancang Ma
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, PR China.
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Ding W, Xu Y, Kondracki AJ, Sun Y. Childhood adversity and accelerated reproductive events: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2024; 230:315-329.e31. [PMID: 37820985 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2023.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Accelerated female reproductive events represent the early onset of reproductive events involving puberty, menarche, pregnancy loss, first sexual intercourse, first birth, parity, and menopause. This study aimed to explore the association between childhood adversity and accelerated female reproductive events. DATA SOURCES PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase were systematically searched from September 22, 2022 to September 23, 2022. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Observational cohort, cross-sectional, and case-control studies in human populations were included if they reported the time of reproductive events for female individuals with experience of childhood adversity and were published in English. METHODS Two reviewers independently screened studies, obtained data, and assessed study quality, and conflicts were resolved by a third reviewer. Dichotomous outcomes were evaluated using meta-analysis, and pooled odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were generated using random-effects models. Moderation analysis and meta-regression were used to investigate heterogeneity. RESULTS In total, 21 cohort studies, 9 cross-sectional studies, and 3 case-control studies were identified. Overall, female individuals with childhood adversity were nearly 2 times more likely to report accelerated reproductive events than those with no adversity exposure (odds ratio, 1.91; 95% confidence interval, 1.33-2.76; I2=99.6%; P<.001). Moderation analysis indicated that effect sizes for the types of childhood adversity ranged from an odds ratio of 1.61 (95% confidence interval, 1.23-2.09) for low socioeconomic status to 2.13 (95% confidence interval, 1.14-3.99) for dysfunctional family dynamics. Among the 7 groups based on different reproductive events, including early onset of puberty, early menarche, early sexual initiation, teenage childbirth, preterm birth, pregnancy loss, and early menopause, early sexual initiation had a nonsignificant correlation with childhood adversity (odds ratio, 2.70; 95% confidence interval, 0.88-8.30; I2=99.9%; P<.001). Considerable heterogeneity (I2>75%) between estimates was observed for over half of the outcomes. Age, study type, and method of data collection could explain 35.9% of the variance. CONCLUSION The literature tentatively corroborates that female individuals who reported adverse events in childhood are more likely to experience accelerated reproductive events. This association is especially strong for exposure to abuse and dysfunctional family dynamics. However, the heterogeneity among studies was high, requiring caution in interpreting the findings and highlighting the need for further evaluation of the types and timing of childhood events that influence accelerated female reproductive events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqin Ding
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yuxiang Xu
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Anthony J Kondracki
- Department of Community Medicine, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA
| | - Ying Sun
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Medical University, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
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Wang C, Wang J, Wan R, Yuan T, Yang L, Zhang D, Li X, Liu H, Zhang L. Separate and combined effects of famine exposure and menarche age on metabolic syndrome among the elderly: a cross-sectional study in China. BMC Womens Health 2023; 23:600. [PMID: 37964223 PMCID: PMC10648701 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-023-02737-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epidemiological studies have revealed multiple risk factors for metabolic syndrome. However, there are no consistent findings on the association between famine exposure, age at menarche, and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. This cross-sectional study aimed to reveal the individual and combined effects of famine exposure and age at menarche on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among elderly women. METHODS Four thousand seven hundred seventy participants between 60 and 93 years of age were selected from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. Statistical differences between the baseline characteristics of famine exposure, age at menarche, and metabolic syndrome were evaluated using the t-test, F-test, and Chi-square test. Three multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models were used to test the association between famine exposure, age of menarche, and the odds ratio of metabolic syndrome. RESULTS Two thousand one hundred ninety-eight (46.08%) participants had metabolic syndrome, while 2572 (53.92%) participants did not. Furthermore, 3068 (64.32%) women reported onset of menarche under 15 years of age, while 1702 (35.68%) women reported onset of menarche above 16 years of age. Regarding the separate association of famine exposure and age of menarche with metabolic syndrome, in model three, the adolescence/adulthood famine exposure group vs. no famine exposure group odds ratio was 2.45 (95% CI 2.02, 2.97), and the older than 16 years vs. younger than 15 years group odds ratio was 1.23 (95% CI 1.09, 1.39), which was the highest odds ratio among the three models. Regarding the combined association of famine exposure and age of menarche with metabolic syndrome, in model three, among the age of menarche ≤ 15 years group, the adolescence/adulthood famine exposure vs. no famine exposure group odds ratio was 2.45 (95% CI: 1.91, 3.14); among the menarche age ≥ 16 years group, the adolescence/adulthood famine exposure stages vs. exposed group odds ratio was 3.27 (95% CI: 2.44, 4.38), which was the highest odds ratio among the three models. CONCLUSION These findings suggested that famine exposure and age at menarche, either separately or in combination, were positively associated with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among older women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Congzhi Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine Nursing, School of Nursing, Wannan Medical College, An Hui Province, Wuhu City, 241000, P.R, China
| | - Jiazhi Wang
- Sports Institute, Chi Zhou College, Education Park, Chi Zhou City, An Hui Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Rui Wan
- Business School, Yunnan University of Finance and Economics, 237 Longquan Road, Kunming City, Yun Nan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Yuan
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing, School of Nursing, Wannan Medical College, 22 Wenchang West Road, Higher Education Park, Wuhu City, An Hui Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Liu Yang
- Department of Internal Medicine Nursing, School of Nursing, Wannan Medical College, An Hui Province, Wuhu City, 241000, P.R, China
| | - Dongmei Zhang
- Department of Pediatric Nursing, School of Nursing, Wannan Medical College, 22 Wenchang West Road, Higher Education Park, Wuhu City, An Hui Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoping Li
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Nursing, School of Nursing, Wannan Medical College, 22 Wenchang West Road, Higher Education Park, Wuhu City, An Hui Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Haiyang Liu
- Student Health Center, Wannan Medical College, 22 Wenchang West Road, Higher Education ParkAn Hui Province, Wuhu City, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin Zhang
- Department of Internal Medicine Nursing, School of Nursing, Wannan Medical College, An Hui Province, Wuhu City, 241000, P.R, China.
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Alinia T, Sabour S, Hashemipour M, Hovsepian S, Pour HR, Jahanfar S. Relationship between vitamin D levels and age of menopause and reproductive lifespan: Analysis based on the National health and nutrition examination survey (NHANES) 2001-2018. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2023; 289:183-189. [PMID: 37690281 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2023.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine the association between serum vitamin D levels and age at menopause and reproductive lifespan in a group of US postmenopausal women. STUDY DESIGN Data from 6,326 postmenopausal US women in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database 2001-2018 were obtained. Weighted multinomial logistic regression models were used to obtain odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Statistical analyzes were performed using SAS (version 9.4; SAS Institute), and complex survey designs were considered. RESULTS Vitamin D deficiency was associated with a higher likelihood of early menopause (OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.15, 1.58; p = 0.008) and lower odds of late menopause (OR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.52, 0.95) in the unadjusted model but not in the adjusted model. Lower vitamin D levels were associated with a higher risk of a shorter reproductive lifespan. The strongest association was seen in the first tertile of vitamin D deficiency (OR = 1.54; 95% CI: 1:29-1:83). After adjustment, the associations were somewhat weakened but remained statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study suggest that vitamin D deficiency and inadequacy might be associated with earlier age at menopause. It may also reduce the reproductive lifespan in women. Given the cross-sectional nature of the NHANES dataset, these results should be interpreted with caution due to temporality bias. Menopausal age is a multifactorial phenomenon, and the identification of factors and their interactions should be evaluated in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahereh Alinia
- Metabolic Liver Disease Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Siamak Sabour
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR, Iran
| | - Mahin Hashemipour
- Metabolic Liver Disease Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Silva Hovsepian
- Metabolic Liver Disease Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
| | - Homeyra Rais Pour
- Metabolic Liver Disease Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Shayesteh Jahanfar
- Tufts School of Medicine, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Boston, USA
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Klimek M, Entringer S, Matras A, Blukacz M, Nenko I, Galbarczyk A, Jasienska G. Early-life adversities and later-life reproductive patterns in women with fully traced reproductive history. Sci Rep 2023; 13:9328. [PMID: 37291139 PMCID: PMC10250381 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36226-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the most crucial determinants of early-life development is the experience of childhood adversities. However, limited evidence is available for how these experiences shape later-life reproductive outcomes in women. Here we test the association between early-life adversities and reproductive parameters in women. Post-reproductive women (N = 105; mean age = 59.7; SD = 10.09) were recruited at the Mogielica Human Ecology Study Site in Poland within a traditional population with a low prevalence of birth control usage and fully traced reproductive histories. Reproductive parameters, as well as exposure to early-life abuse and neglect, were assessed using questionnaires. Childhood adversity was associated negatively with age at menarche (p = 0.009). Analyses on specific subtypes revealed that compared to women who did not experience any kind of early-life adversities in childhood, those who were exposed to emotional (p = 0.007) and physical (p = 0.023) neglect had an earlier age at menarche, those who experienced emotional abuse reported an earlier age at first birth (p = 0.035), and those who were exposed to physical abuse gave birth to fewer number of sons (p = 0.010). Our results suggest that women exposed to childhood adversities experience earlier physiological reproductive readiness and timing of the first birth, but their overall biological condition might be impaired as they bear fewer sons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Klimek
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Sonja Entringer
- Institute of Medical Psychology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Agnieszka Matras
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Mateusz Blukacz
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
- Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Ilona Nenko
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Andrzej Galbarczyk
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Grazyna Jasienska
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
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6
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Iob E, Ajnakina O, Steptoe A. The interactive association of adverse childhood experiences and polygenic susceptibility with depressive symptoms and chronic inflammation in older adults: a prospective cohort study. Psychol Med 2023; 53:1426-1436. [PMID: 37010219 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291721003007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and genetic liability are important risk factors for depression and inflammation. However, little is known about the gene-environment (G × E) mechanisms underlying their aetiology. For the first time, we tested the independent and interactive associations of ACEs and polygenic scores of major depressive disorder (MDD-PGS) and C-reactive protein (CRP-PGS) with longitudinal trajectories of depression and chronic inflammation in older adults. METHODS Data were drawn from the English longitudinal study of ageing (N~3400). Retrospective information on ACEs was collected in wave3 (2006/07). We calculated a cumulative risk score of ACEs and also assessed distinct dimensions separately. Depressive symptoms were ascertained on eight occasions, from wave1 (2002/03) to wave8 (2016/17). CRP was measured in wave2 (2004/05), wave4 (2008/09), and wave6 (2012/13). The associations of the risk factors with group-based depressive-symptom trajectories and repeated exposure to high CRP (i.e. ⩾3 mg/L) were tested using multinomial and ordinal logistic regression. RESULTS All types of ACEs were independently associated with high depressive-symptom trajectories (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.30-1.60) and inflammation (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.07-1.09). The risk of high depressive-symptom trajectories (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.28-1.70) and inflammation (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.04) was also higher for participants with higher MDD-PGS. G×E analyses revealed that the associations between ACEs and depressive symptoms were larger among participants with higher MDD-PGS (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.04-1.23). ACEs were also more strongly related to inflammation in participants with higher CRP-PGS (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01-1.03). CONCLUSIONS ACEs and polygenic susceptibility were independently and interactively associated with elevated depressive symptoms and chronic inflammation, highlighting the clinical importance of assessing both ACEs and genetic risk factors to design more targeted interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Iob
- Research Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Healthcare, University College London, London, UK
| | - Olesya Ajnakina
- Research Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Healthcare, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Biostatistics & Health Informatics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Andrew Steptoe
- Research Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Healthcare, University College London, London, UK
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Dong Q, Zhou L, Wang W, Wei X, Pluess M, Ma X. Development and Validation of the Chinese Version of the Highly Sensitive Child Scale: Understanding environmental sensitivity and depressive symptoms in adolescents. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:999150. [PMID: 36545039 PMCID: PMC9760681 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.999150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Environmental sensitivity (ES) is considered a significant personality factor in the development and maintenance of depressive symptoms in adolescents. However, a clear instrument that can capture ES in Chinese adolescents is lacking. The current study aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of a Chinese version of the Highly Sensitive Child (HSC) Scale for assessing adolescent ES, and explore the potential moderation effect of ES on relationships between maternal behaviors and adolescent depressive symptoms. Methods In total, 2,166 students from four middle and high schools and 105 depressed adolescents completed measurements of environmental sensitivity, maternal behaviors, depressive emotions, sleep duration, and academic performance. Results First, exploratory factor and confirmatory factor analyses indicated that the HSC scale had a good model fit with the bifactor construct, total scale reliability was adequate-good, and measurement invariances across genders and different samples were supported. Furthermore, the results confirmed that the relationship between maternal behaviors and adolescent depressive symptoms had small effects. Compared to low environmentally sensitive adolescents, high environmentally sensitive adolescents exhibited less depressive emotions and better academic performance in the context of high-quality maternal behaviors. Low-quality maternal behaviors significantly predicted increased depressive emotions and worse academic performance in adolescents when environmental sensitivity was high. Moreover, on the contrary, maternal behaviors did not influence depressive emotions and academic performance in adolescents who were less sensitive to their environment. The relationship between maternal behaviors and adolescent depressive symptoms is influenced by different levels of environmental sensitivity. Conclusion Our findings support the HSC scale as a comprehensive and psychometrically robust tool to measure ES in Chinese adolescents. In addition, the present study clarifies the moderating role of environmental sensitivity underlying the relationship between maternal behaviors and adolescent depressive symptoms. It is important to consider the role of ES in prevention and intervention strategies targeting adolescent depressive symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Dong
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Lina Zhou
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xin Wei
- Xi’an No.3 Middle School, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Michael Pluess
- Department of Biological and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
- Centre for Economic Performance, London School of Economics, London, United Kingdom
| | - Xiancang Ma
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
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Pham HT, DiLalla LF, Corley RP, Dorn LD, Berenbaum SA. Family environmental antecedents of pubertal timing in girls and boys: A review and open questions. Horm Behav 2022; 138:105101. [PMID: 35124424 PMCID: PMC9261775 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2021.105101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Across nonhuman species, pubertal timing is affected by the social environment, with consequences for reproductive success and behavior. In human beings, variations in pubertal timing have not been systematically examined in relation to social environmental antecedents, although their psychological consequences are well documented. This paper focuses on links in human beings between pubertal timing and the childhood social environment, with several sections: A review of studies relating pubertal timing to the family context, a key aspect of the social environment; challenges in studying the issue; and opportunities for future work that takes advantage of and creates links with evidence in other species. The review shows that pubertal timing in girls is accelerated by adversity in aspects of the early family social context, with effects small in size; data in boys are not sufficient to enable conclusions. Inferences from existing studies are limited by variations in conceptualizations and measurement of relevant aspects of puberty and of the family social environment, and by methodological issues (e.g., reliance on existing data, use of retrospective reports, nonrandom missing data). Open questions remain about the nature, mechanisms, and specificity of the links between early family social environment and pubertal timing (e.g., form of associations, consideration of absence of positive experiences, role of timing of exposure). Animal studies provide a useful guide for addressing these questions, by delineating potential hormonal mechanisms that underlie links among social context, pubertal timing, and behavior, and encouraging attention to aspects of the social environment outside the family, especially peers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly T Pham
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, 453 Moore, PA 16802, United States
| | - Lisabeth F DiLalla
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, 6503, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, IL 62901, United States
| | - Robin P Corley
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, 447 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309, United States
| | - Lorah D Dorn
- College of Nursing, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, 313 Nursing Sciences, PA 16802, United States; Department of Pediatrics, The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA 17033, United States
| | - Sheri A Berenbaum
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, 453 Moore, PA 16802, United States; Department of Pediatrics, The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA 17033, United States.
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9
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Demakakos P, Steptoe A, Mishra GD. Adverse childhood experiences are associated with increased risk of hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy: A national retrospective cohort study of women in England. BJOG 2022; 129:1481-1489. [PMID: 34978369 PMCID: PMC9250543 DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.17088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Objective To examine the associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACE) and the risk of hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy in a national sample of women in England. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting A stratified random sample of households across England. Population 2648 women aged ≥55 years in 2007 from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) were included in the bilateral oophorectomy analyses and 2622 in the hysterectomy analyses. Methods Logistic and multinomial logistic regression analyses of the associations between categories of the ACE summary score (0, 1, 2, ≥3 ACE), eight individual ACE, and hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy. Results 615 women had undergone hysterectomy and 259 women bilateral oophorectomy. We found graded associations between the summary ACE score and risk of hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy. In the fully adjusted model, compared with women with no ACE, those with ≥3 ACE had double the odds of hysterectomy (odds ratio [OR] 2.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.30–3.11) and more than double the odds of bilateral oophorectomy (OR 2.61, 95% CI 1.54–4.42). The exclusion of women with cancer history made the associations stronger, especially in women who underwent hysterectomy at age <40 years or bilateral oophorectomy at age ≤44 years. Several individual ACE were positively associated with both outcomes. Conclusions ACE are associated with increased risk of hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy. Individual‐level covariates did not explain these associations. Our findings highlight the importance of a life course approach to understanding surgical menopause and add to our knowledge of the societal and public health impact of ACE. Tweetable abstract Adverse childhood experiences are associated with increased risk of hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy in a national sample of women in England. Adverse childhood experiences are associated with increased risk of hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy in a national sample of women in England. Linked article: This article is commented on by Walter A. Rocca, pp. 1491–1492 in this issue. To view this minicommentary visit https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.17105.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panayotes Demakakos
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Andrew Steptoe
- Department of Behavioural Sciences and Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Gita D Mishra
- School of Population Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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10
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Yuan J, Yu Y, Liu D, Sun Y. Associations between distinct dimensions of early life adversity and accelerated reproductive strategy among middle-aged women in China. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2022; 226:104.e1-104.e14. [PMID: 34384774 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2021.07.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Life history theory argues that unpredictable and harsh conditions such as early life adversity tends to produce a fast life history strategy, characterized by early sexual maturation and less parenting of offspring. It remains unclear whether all forms of early life adversity are associated with accelerated reproductive strategy, and most previous studies predominantly focused on single form of reproductive strategy indicators. OBJECTIVE To examine the associations between 2 distinct dimensions of early life adversity (ie, threat and deprivation) and reproductive strategies across global metrics. STUDY DESIGN We used data from 9674 middle-aged women of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. The experiences of threat and deprivation were assessed using the Life History Survey Questionnaire in 2014. Reproductive strategy information was assessed via self-report from the follow-up of 2013, 2015 and 2018, including age at menarche, age at natural menopause, age at first birth, total number of children, and number of abortions. Multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to assess the associations between distinct dimensions of early life adversity and multiple reproductive strategy indicators, adjusting for age, Hukou location, family socioeconomic status in adulthood and body mass index. RESULTS Of the 9674 women (mean [standard deviation] age at baseline, 55.89 [10.23] years), 4084 (42.20%) reported exposure to threat-related early life adversity and 7332 (75.79%) reported exposure to deprivation-related early life adversity. Early life adversity characterized by threat was associated with accelerated reproductive strategy. Compared with women who have no experiences of threat-related early life adversity, ≥3 threat-related early life adversity was associated with 3.7-month earlier age at menarche (β=-0.31, 95% confidence interval, -0.53 to -0.08; P=.007), 8.6-month earlier age at natural menopause (β=-0.72, 95% confidence interval, -1.29 to -0.15; P=.013), >1-year earlier age at first birth (β=-1.14, 95% confidence interval, -1.58 to -0.71; P<.0001), and an increased total number of children (β=0.25, 95% confidence interval, 0.10-0.41; P=.002). In contrast, experiences of deprivation were associated with delayed age at natural menopause (β=.50, 95% confidence interval, 0.06-0.94; P=.025) and increased number of abortions (β=.17, 95% confidence interval, 0.01-0.34, P=.037), in models adjusting for co-occurring threat exposures. CONCLUSION This study suggests that early life adversity characterized by threat was associated with accelerated reproductive strategy, whereas deprivation was associated with slower reproduction strategy. Future research should clarify the biological pathways between different dimensions of early life adversity and reproductive strategies and further determine whether accelerated reproduction is an adaptive response to early life adversity in humans.
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Nabhan AF, Mburu G, Elshafeey F, Magdi R, Kamel M, Elshebiny M, Abuelnaga YG, Ghonim M, Abdelhamid MH, Ghonim M, Eid P, Morsy A, Nasser M, Abdelwahab N, Elhayatmy F, Hussein AA, Elgabaly N, Sawires E, Tarkhan Y, Doas Y, Farrag N, Amir A, Gobran MF, Maged M, Abdulhady M, Sherif Y, Dyab M, Kiarie J. OUP accepted manuscript. Hum Reprod Open 2022; 2022:hoac005. [PMID: 35280216 PMCID: PMC8907405 DOI: 10.1093/hropen/hoac005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION What is the scope of literature regarding women’s reproductive span in terms of definitions, trends and determinants? SUMMARY ANSWER The scoping review found a wide variation in definitions, trends and determinants of biological, social and effective women’s reproductive span. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY A woman’s reproductive span refers to her childbearing years. Its span influences a woman’s reproductive decisions. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION A systematic scoping review was conducted. We searched MEDLINE, PubMed, JSTOR, CINAHL, Web of Science and Scopus electronic databases from inception to January 2021 without imposing language or date restrictions. We searched unpublished sources including the Global Burden of Disease, Demographic and Health Surveys, and National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. The list of relevant references was searched by hand. Sixty-seven reports on women’s reproductive span were included in this review. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS This scoping systematic review followed an established framework. The reporting of this scoping review followed the reporting requirements provided in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, Extension for Scoping Reviews. Identified records were independently screened and data were extracted. We performed conceptual synthesis by grouping the studies by available concepts of reproductive span and then summarized definitions, measures used, temporal trends, determinants, and broad findings of implications on population demographics and assisted reproduction. Structured tabulation and graphical synthesis were used to show patterns in the data and convey detailed information efficiently, along with a narrative commentary. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE A total of 67 relevant reports on women’s reproductive span were published between 1980 and 2020 from 74 countries. Most reports (42/67) were cross-sectional in design. Literature on reproductive span was conceptually grouped as biological (the interval between age at menarche and age at menopause), effective (when a woman is both fertile and engaging in sexual activity) and social (period of exposure to sexual activity). We summarized the working definitions, trends and determinants of each concept. Few articles addressed implications on demographics and assisted reproduction. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION A formal assessment of methodological quality of the included studies was not performed because the aim of this review was to provide an overview of the existing evidence base regardless of quality. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The review produced a comprehensive set of possible definitions of women’s reproductive span, trends, and potential determinants. Further advancement of these findings will involve collaboration with relevant stakeholders to rate the importance of each definition in relation to demography and fertility care, outline a set of core definitions, identify implications for policy, practice or research and define future research opportunities to explore linkages between reproductive spans, their determinants, and the need for assisted reproduction. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work received funding from the UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), a cosponsored programme executed by the World Health Organization (WHO). The authors had no competing interests. STUDY REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- A F Nabhan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, El-Khalifa El-Maamoun Street, Cairo 11341, Egypt. E-mail: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4572-2210
| | - G Mburu
- The UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP Research), World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - F Elshafeey
- Egyptian Center for Evidence Based Medicine, Cairo, Egypt
| | - R Magdi
- Egyptian Center for Evidence Based Medicine, Cairo, Egypt
| | - M Kamel
- Egyptian Center for Evidence Based Medicine, Cairo, Egypt
| | - M Elshebiny
- Egyptian Center for Evidence Based Medicine, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Y G Abuelnaga
- Egyptian Center for Evidence Based Medicine, Cairo, Egypt
| | - M Ghonim
- Egyptian Center for Evidence Based Medicine, Cairo, Egypt
| | - M H Abdelhamid
- Egyptian Center for Evidence Based Medicine, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mo Ghonim
- Egyptian Center for Evidence Based Medicine, Cairo, Egypt
| | - P Eid
- Egyptian Center for Evidence Based Medicine, Cairo, Egypt
| | - A Morsy
- Egyptian Center for Evidence Based Medicine, Cairo, Egypt
| | - M Nasser
- Egyptian Center for Evidence Based Medicine, Cairo, Egypt
| | - N Abdelwahab
- Egyptian Center for Evidence Based Medicine, Cairo, Egypt
| | - F Elhayatmy
- Egyptian Center for Evidence Based Medicine, Cairo, Egypt
| | - A A Hussein
- Egyptian Center for Evidence Based Medicine, Cairo, Egypt
| | - N Elgabaly
- Egyptian Center for Evidence Based Medicine, Cairo, Egypt
| | - E Sawires
- Egyptian Center for Evidence Based Medicine, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Y Tarkhan
- Egyptian Center for Evidence Based Medicine, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Y Doas
- Egyptian Center for Evidence Based Medicine, Cairo, Egypt
| | - N Farrag
- Egyptian Center for Evidence Based Medicine, Cairo, Egypt
| | - A Amir
- Egyptian Center for Evidence Based Medicine, Cairo, Egypt
| | - M F Gobran
- Egyptian Center for Evidence Based Medicine, Cairo, Egypt
| | - M Maged
- Egyptian Center for Evidence Based Medicine, Cairo, Egypt
| | - M Abdulhady
- Egyptian Center for Evidence Based Medicine, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Y Sherif
- Egyptian Center for Evidence Based Medicine, Cairo, Egypt
| | - M Dyab
- Egyptian Center for Evidence Based Medicine, Cairo, Egypt
| | - J Kiarie
- The UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP Research), World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
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Giri R, Vincent AJ. Prevalence and Risk Factors of Premature Ovarian Insufficiency/Early Menopause. Semin Reprod Med 2021; 38:237-246. [PMID: 33434933 DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1722317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) and early menopause, defined as loss of ovarian activity prior to 40 years or menopause between the ages of 40 and 45 years, respectively, is associated with significant adverse health impacts. Recent data indicate that the prevalence of POI and early menopause is greater than was previously thought, affecting more than 10% of women. Biopsychosocial risk factors including genetic, autoimmune, reproductive, lifestyle, early-life, social/environmental, and iatrogenic have been associated with POI/early menopause or earlier age at menopause. However, establishing a causal role and the underlying mechanisms remains elusive. Understanding and clarification of these risk factors will facilitate prevention and risk minimization strategies to optimize women's health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rinky Giri
- Department of Endocrinology, Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Amanda J Vincent
- Department of Endocrinology, Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation (MCHRI), School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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Bar-Sadeh B, Rudnizky S, Pnueli L, Bentley GR, Stöger R, Kaplan A, Melamed P. Unravelling the role of epigenetics in reproductive adaptations to early-life environment. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2020; 16:519-533. [PMID: 32620937 DOI: 10.1038/s41574-020-0370-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Reproductive function adjusts in response to environmental conditions in order to optimize success. In humans, this plasticity includes age of pubertal onset, hormone levels and age at menopause. These reproductive characteristics vary across populations with distinct lifestyles and following specific childhood events, and point to a role for the early-life environment in shaping adult reproductive trajectories. Epigenetic mechanisms respond to external signals, exert long-term effects on gene expression and have been shown in animal and cellular studies to regulate normal reproductive function, strongly implicating their role in these adaptations. Moreover, human cohort data have revealed differential DNA methylation signatures in proxy tissues that are associated with reproductive phenotypic variation, although the cause-effect relationships are difficult to discern, calling for additional complementary approaches to establish functionality. In this Review, we summarize how adult reproductive function can be shaped by childhood events. We discuss why the influence of the childhood environment on adult reproductive function is an important consideration in understanding how reproduction is regulated and necessitates consideration by clinicians treating women with diverse life histories. The resolution of the molecular mechanisms responsible for human reproductive plasticity could also lead to new approaches for intervention by targeting these epigenetic modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Bar-Sadeh
- Faculty of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Sergei Rudnizky
- Faculty of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Lilach Pnueli
- Faculty of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | | | - Reinhard Stöger
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Ariel Kaplan
- Faculty of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Philippa Melamed
- Faculty of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
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Demakakos P, Linara-Demakakou E, Mishra GD. Adverse childhood experiences are associated with increased risk of miscarriage in a national population-based cohort study in England. Hum Reprod 2020; 35:1451-1460. [PMID: 32510136 PMCID: PMC7316498 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deaa113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Is there an association between adverse childhood experiences (ACE) and the risk of miscarriage in the general population? SUMMARY ANSWER Specific ACE as well as the summary ACE score were associated with an increased risk of single and recurrent miscarriages. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY There is scarce evidence on the association between ACE and miscarriage risk. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION We conducted a retrospective national cohort study. The sample consisted of 2795 women aged 55-89 years from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Our study was population-based and included women who participated in the ELSA Life History Interview in 2007. We estimated multinomial logistic regression models of the associations of the summary ACE score and eight individual ACE variables (pertaining to physical and sexual abuse, family dysfunction and experiences of living in residential care or with foster parents) with self-reported miscarriage (0, 1, ≥2 miscarriages). MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Five hundred and fifty-three women (19.8% of our sample) had experienced at least one miscarriage in their lifetime. Compared with women with no ACE, women with ≥3 ACE were two times more likely to experience a single miscarriage in their lifetime (relative risk ratio 2.00, 95% CI 1.25-3.22) and more than three times more likely to experience recurrent miscarriages (≥2 miscarriages) (relative risk ratio 3.10, 95% CI 1.63, 5.89) after adjustment for birth cohort, age at menarche and childhood socioeconomic position. Childhood experiences of physical and sexual abuse were individually associated with increased risk of miscarriage. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Given the magnitude of the observed associations, their biological plausibility, temporal order and consistency with evidence suggesting a positive association between ACE and adverse reproductive outcomes, it is unlikely that our findings are spurious. Nevertheless, the observed associations should not be interpreted as causal as our study was observational and potentially susceptible to bias arising from unaccounted confounders. Non-response and ensuing selection bias may have also biased our findings. Retrospectively measured ACE are known to be susceptible to underreporting. Our study may have misclassified cases of ACE and possibly underestimated the magnitude of the association between ACE and the risk of miscarriage. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Our study highlights experiences of psychosocial adversity in childhood as a potential risk factor for single and recurrent miscarriages. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the role of childhood trauma in miscarriage and add an important life course dimension to the study of miscarriage. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) ELSA is currently funded by the National Institute on Aging in USA (R01AG017644) and a consortium of UK government departments coordinated by the National Institute for Health Research. The funders had no role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the article. The authors have no actual or potential competing financial interests to disclose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panayotes Demakakos
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | | | - Gita D Mishra
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland 4006, Australia
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Ettorre VM. Childhood predictors of age at natural menopause. Case Rep Womens Health 2019; 24:e00148. [PMID: 31700807 PMCID: PMC6829096 DOI: 10.1016/j.crwh.2019.e00148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Victoria M. Ettorre
- Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Women’s Health Institute Intern, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
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