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The Social Environment Matters for Telomere Length and Internalizing Problems During Adolescence
Darlene A Kertes1,2, Cherita Clendinen3, Ke Duan3
1Department of Psychology, University of Florida, 945 Center Drive, Gainesville, FL, 32611-2250, USA. dkertes@ufl.edu.
Journal of Youth and Adolescence
|September 25, 2023
Summary
Cellular aging, measured by telomere length, is linked to adolescent anxiety and depression. Social factors like stress and school belonging can worsen this connection, highlighting the need for supportive environments.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent mental health
- Cellular aging
- Social determinants of health
Background:
- Adolescent depression and anxiety symptoms are increasing globally.
- Cellular aging, indicated by telomere length, is increasingly linked to mental health conditions.
- The moderating role of the social environment on this link requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the moderating role of the social environment on the relationship between telomere length and emotional health in adolescents.
- To identify specific social risk and protective factors that influence the association between biological aging and adolescent mental health.
Main Methods:
- Study included 411 adolescents (mean age 14.23 years, 54% female) from a major metropolitan city.
- Data collected through youth and parent reports on social factors and DNA samples for telomere length measurement.
- Statistical analyses explored the interaction between telomere length and social environment variables on mental health outcomes.
Main Results:
- The association between telomere length and anxiety symptoms was stronger with higher perceived stress or lower school belongingness.
- The link between telomere length and depressive symptoms was amplified by higher levels of parent inter-partner psychological aggression.
- Social environmental factors significantly moderate the relationship between biological aging and adolescent emotional health.
Conclusions:
- The social environment plays a crucial role in the association between cellular aging and adolescent mental health.
- Interventions targeting social risk factors may mitigate the impact of biological aging on adolescent depression and anxiety.
- Understanding these complex interactions is vital for promoting adolescent well-being.
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