Study finds childhood trauma can lead to later health issues Children who face trauma can enter into a cycle of negative emotions leading to anxiety and depression that contributes to later health problems and an early death a leading psychologist stated this weekend. Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, PhD, of Ohio State University College of Medicine, spoke on the topic “How Stress Kills: Assessing the Damage and Various Remedies” on Saturday at the American Psychological Association’s 118th Annual Convention. “A child who experienced a death of a parent, witnessed severe marital problems between parents or was abused may be more vulnerable to stressful events later in life,” said Kiecolt-Glaser in a press release. “Our latest research shows that childhood adversity casts a long shadow on one’s health and can lead to inflammation and cell aging much earlier than for those who haven’t experienced these events. Those reporting multiple adversities could shorten their lifespan by seven to 15 years.” The study consisted of 58 caregivers for a spouse or parent with Alzheimer’s disease or another progressive dementia and 74 demographically similar controls who had no caregiving responsibilities. The subjects were analyzed for depression levels and the occurrence of childhood trauma to determine how negative emotions and prior experiences add to the adverse effects of caregiving. Subjects completed detailed questionnaires about child abuse, neglect, losing a parent during childhood and other childhood traumas. Those will immume-related health problems were excluded as were those who were on anti-inflammatory medications. The subjects gave blood samples to measure for cytokines interleukin (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) and telomere length. These markers are linked to aging, age-related diseases, death, cardiovascular, autoimmune and infectious diseases. Forty-two of the subjects reported some form of childhood trauma while ninety reported no traumas during childhood. “We found that childhood adversity was associated with shorter telomeres and increased levels of inflammation even after controlling for age, caregiving status, gender, body mass index, exercise and sleep,” said Kiecolt-Glaser. “Inflammation over time can lead to cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, arthritis, Type 2 diabetes and certain cancers.” Kiecolt-Glaser said that those with childhood abuse caring for an ill spouse or parent had higher levels of depression. The study concluded that childhood trauma may influence age-related disease. The use of psychological treatment, exercise and other stress relieving activities may lessen the negative emotions.
August 13th, 2010