Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2025

Author Spotlight: Exploring Microglial Interactions with Stress-Response Circuitry Using the Limited Bedding and Nesting Model
Published on: July 12, 2024
The Continuity of Adversity: Negative Emotionality Links Early Life Adversity With Adult Stressful Life Events
Grace M Brennan1,2, Terrie E Moffitt1,2,3,4, Kyle Bourassa5
1Duke Aging Center, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC.
Abstract:
Adversity that exhibits continuity across the life course has long-term detrimental effects on physical and mental health. Using 920 participants from the Dunedin Study, we tested the following hypotheses: (1) children (ages 3-15) who experienced adversity would also tend to experience adversity in adulthood (ages 32-45), and (2) interim personality traits in young adulthood (ages 18-26) would help account for this longitudinal association. Children who experienced more adversity tended to also experience more stressful life events as adults, β=.11, 95% CI [.04, .18], p=.002. Negative emotionality-particularly its sub-facet alienation, characterized by mistrust of others-helped explain this childhood-to-midlife association (indirect effect: β=.06, 95% CI [.04, .09], p<.001). Results were robust to adjustment for sex, socioeconomic origins, childhood IQ, preschool temperament, and other young-adult personality traits. Prevention of early-life adversity and treatment of young-adult negative emotionality may reduce vulnerability to later life stress and thereby promote the health of aging adults.
Related Concept Videos
Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle
Socioemotional Development during Infancy
Primary Temperament Types
Psychological Responses to Stress
Stress and Mental Health
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques II
Type A Personality: Driven and Easily Stressed
Individuals with Type A personalities are often highly competitive and ambitious and operate with a strong sense of urgency. Commonly labeled as...

