Emotion Regulation as a Pathway Connecting Early Life Adversity and Inflammation in Adulthood: a Conceptual Framework

Area of Science:

• Psychoneuroimmunology
• Developmental Psychology
• Health Psychology

Background:

• Chronic inflammation is linked to major diseases like cardiovascular disease and cancer.
• Early life adversity (ELA) is a risk factor for adult inflammation, potentially via effects on emotion regulation brain circuits.
• Emotion regulation strategies vary, with some (e.g., expressive suppression) being maladaptive and others (e.g., cognitive reappraisal) adaptive.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a conceptual framework linking emotion regulation tendencies to inflammation vulnerability or resilience in adults with ELA.
• To review evidence supporting the framework, focusing on emotion dysregulation and cognitive reappraisal in relation to inflammation.
• To discuss contributing factors, interventions, and future research directions.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual review and synthesis of existing research.
• Examination of evidence linking emotion regulation strategies to inflammation markers.
• Analysis of neurobiological, physiological, psychosocial, and ELA-specific factors.

Main Results:

• Evidence suggests emotion dysregulation is associated with higher inflammation (vulnerability) in adults with ELA.
• Cognitive reappraisal is linked to lower inflammation (resilience) in healthy adults with a history of ELA.
• The framework integrates various factors influencing the ELA-inflammation relationship.

Conclusions:

• Emotion regulation plays a critical role in mediating the long-term inflammatory effects of early life adversity.
• Cognitive reappraisal may represent a protective factor against inflammation for individuals with a history of ELA.
• Further research is needed to elucidate mechanisms and develop targeted interventions.