Francesconi, M;
Minichino, A;
Flouri, E;
(2023)
The role of mild stressors in children's cognition and inflammation: positive and negative impacts depend on timing of exposure.
European Psychiatry
, 66
(1)
, Article e95. 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2023.2468.
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Abstract
Although the impact of stressful life events on mental health is well-established, the research on the impact of such stressors on cognitive outcomes has produced mixed results. Arguably, the timing and severity of exposure may play a key role. In this study we shed light on the relationship between timing of exposure to relatively minor stressful life events and cognitive ability in children, while taking into account the role of a plausible biological mediator: inflammation. Using data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, a general population birth cohort, we explored the role of relatively minor stressful life events, experienced during two crucial developmental stages: up to transition to school (1-4.5 years) and up to transition to puberty (5.5 to 8.5 years). We then tested if they may impact differently on inflammatory markers [serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin 6 (IL-6)] at age 9, and general intelligence, measured with the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence at age 15. Data (n=4,525) were analysed using path analysis while controlling for covariates. We found that when relatively minor stressful events were experienced up to transition to school they were significantly associated with higher IQ at age 15, whereas when experienced up to transition to puberty they were significantly associated with higher levels of IL-6 at age 9. Results were robust to adjustment for relevant covariates, including IQ at age 8. Mild stressors in childhood may result in positive (i.e., improved cognition) or negative (i.e., inflammation) outcomes depending on the timing of exposure.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | The role of mild stressors in children's cognition and inflammation: positive and negative impacts depend on timing of exposure |
| Location: | England |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2023.2468 |
| Publisher version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1192/j.eurpsy.2023.2468 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. The images or other third-party material in this article are included in the Creative Commons license, unless indicated otherwise in the credit line; if the material is not included under the Creative Commons license, users will need to obtain permission from the license holder to reproduce the material. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ |
| Keywords: | ALSPAC, cognitive abilities, inflammation, preschool age, stressful life events |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Education UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Education > UCL Institute of Education UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Education > UCL Institute of Education > IOE - Psychology and Human Development |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10184484 |
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