Intervention effects on self-control decrease speed of biological aging mediated by changes in substance use: A...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Developmental Psychology
• Genetics

Background:

• Biological aging contributes to multiple diseases and can begin early in life.
• Substance use is linked to accelerated aging and increased mortality risk.
• Targeting self-control and substance use may mitigate adverse aging trajectories.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate if a family-based substance use preventive intervention (Adults in the Making - AIM) reduces biological aging in Black youth.
• To assess the intervention's impact on self-control and substance use.
• To examine the association between the intervention, self-control, substance use, and DNA methylation (DNAm)-based aging.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 216 Black youth from the rural South.
• The intervention group received six 2-hour sessions of the AIM program.
• DNA methylation-based aging was assessed using the GrimAge biomarker at age 22.

Main Results:

• The AIM intervention group showed significantly enhanced self-control compared to the control group.
• Intervention participants exhibited slower increases in substance use.
• Reduced GrimAge acceleration was observed in the intervention group, indicating slower biological aging.

Conclusions:

• The AIM program effectively improved self-control and reduced substance use among rural Black youth.
• The intervention demonstrated a significant indirect effect on reducing biological aging through enhanced self-control and reduced substance use.
• Family-based interventions targeting self-control may promote long-term health and reduce mortality risk in young adults.