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Do upsetting life events explain the relationship between low socioeconomic status and systemic inflammation in

Theodora Kokosi1, Eirini Flouri1, Emily Midouhas1

  • 1Department of Psychology and Human Development, UCL Institute of Education, University College London, UK.

Brain, Behavior, and Immunity
|November 23, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Low socioeconomic status (SES) in children is linked to higher inflammation, partly due to increased exposure to stressful life events. These findings emphasize the impact of poverty-related stressors on child health.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Environmental Health
  • Biomedical Science

Background:

  • Children from low socioeconomic status (SES) families face more stressors.
  • Stressful exposures are linked to inflammation in children.
  • Investigating the mediating role of stressful life events in the SES-inflammation relationship.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the association between low socioeconomic status (SES) and inflammation in children.
  • To determine if stressful life events mediate the relationship between SES and inflammation.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from 4525 children in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children.
  • Examined associations between SES (ages 0-3), stressful life events (ages 3-9), and inflammatory markers (IL-6, CRP) at age 9.
  • Employed Structural Equation Modelling, adjusting for confounders like BMI and gender.

Main Results:

  • Early socioeconomic disadvantage predicted higher interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels.
  • This association was partially mediated by exposure to stressful life events.
  • Findings indicate a direct link between low SES and inflammation, with stress as a contributing factor.

Conclusions:

  • Low SES is associated with increased stressful life events in children.
  • Stressful life events contribute to inflammation in children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
  • Highlights the role of poverty-related stressors in childhood inflammation.
Abstract

Keywords:
ALSPACChildhoodIL-6InflammationLife eventsSES

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