Andrew Schrepf1, Kristian Markon, Susan K Lutgendorf. 1. From the Departments of Psychology (A.S., K.M., S.K.L.), Obstetrics and Gynecology (S.K.L.), and Urology (S.K.L.) and Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center (S.K.L.), University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Childhood trauma is known to be related to inflammatory processes in adulthood, but underlying psychological/behavioral mechanisms have not been fully characterized. To investigate associations between childhood trauma and inflammation (indexed by C-reactive protein [CRP]), we used a structural equation modeling approach on a subsample of the Midlife in the United States biomarker project. METHODS: Participants included 687 men and women without history of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or stroke who completed a physical examination and extensive questionnaires and provided blood. To test for sex differences, we held as many parameters invariant across sexes as possible while still retaining good model fit. RESULTS: Tests of direct and indirect effects revealed that childhood trauma was significantly associated with elevated CRP, via elevated body mass index (BMI; p < .001). This relationship was mediated by a broad latent measure of distress, which was associated with using food as a coping mechanism. Men and women differed in reported levels of physical abuse, sexual abuse, and physical neglect. Compared with men, women showed a stronger association between BMI and CRP, whereas men had a stronger association between use of food to cope and elevated BMI. CONCLUSIONS: Our results are consistent with a model in which childhood trauma is associated with elevated CRP, a relationship associated with stress reactivity and compensatory emotional eating. Men and women may experience trauma in qualitatively distinct patterns but share many vulnerabilities, which can lead to elevated health risks. Emotional eating may be an important target for intervention in this population.
OBJECTIVE:Childhood trauma is known to be related to inflammatory processes in adulthood, but underlying psychological/behavioral mechanisms have not been fully characterized. To investigate associations between childhood trauma and inflammation (indexed by C-reactive protein [CRP]), we used a structural equation modeling approach on a subsample of the Midlife in the United States biomarker project. METHODS:Participants included 687 men and women without history of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or stroke who completed a physical examination and extensive questionnaires and provided blood. To test for sex differences, we held as many parameters invariant across sexes as possible while still retaining good model fit. RESULTS: Tests of direct and indirect effects revealed that childhood trauma was significantly associated with elevated CRP, via elevated body mass index (BMI; p < .001). This relationship was mediated by a broad latent measure of distress, which was associated with using food as a coping mechanism. Men and women differed in reported levels of physical abuse, sexual abuse, and physical neglect. Compared with men, women showed a stronger association between BMI and CRP, whereas men had a stronger association between use of food to cope and elevated BMI. CONCLUSIONS: Our results are consistent with a model in which childhood trauma is associated with elevated CRP, a relationship associated with stress reactivity and compensatory emotional eating. Men and women may experience trauma in qualitatively distinct patterns but share many vulnerabilities, which can lead to elevated health risks. Emotional eating may be an important target for intervention in this population.
Authors: Michael Harrington; Jennifer Robinson; Shay-Lee Bolton; Jitender Sareen; James Bolton Journal: Can J Psychiatry Date: 2011-11 Impact factor: 4.356
Authors: Heather M Derry; Avelina C Padin; Jennifer L Kuo; Spenser Hughes; Janice K Kiecolt-Glaser Journal: Curr Psychiatry Rep Date: 2015-10 Impact factor: 5.285
Authors: Sarah E Hampson; Grant W Edmonds; Lewis R Goldberg; Maureen Barckley; Bridget Klest; Joan P Dubanoski; Teresa A Hillier Journal: Psychol Trauma Date: 2016-04-21
Authors: Katie A Ports; Dawn M Holman; Angie S Guinn; Sanjana Pampati; Karen E Dyer; Melissa T Merrick; Natasha Buchanan Lunsford; Marilyn Metzler Journal: J Pediatr Nurs Date: 2018-11-07 Impact factor: 2.145
Authors: Jacob B Pierce; Kiarri N Kershaw; Catarina I Kiefe; David R Jacobs; Stephen Sidney; Sharon Stein Merkin; Joe Feinglass Journal: J Am Heart Assoc Date: 2020-04-28 Impact factor: 5.501