The Effects of Childhood Abuse on Emerging Adulthood Inflammation: Investigating Protective Characteristics

Biological embedding of stress is a process commonly observed among individuals with histories of early life adversity. Adverse experiences can get "under the skin" and influence the neural and biological characteristics of an individual, impacting a range of health domains including inflammation. This study aimed to identify characteristics that protect individuals against immune health challenges following childhood abuse (e.g., physical, emotional, sexual). Childhood self-regulation and peer likeability were tested as moderators in the effects of abuse on emerging adulthood inflammation. Participants (N = 421) were drawn from a follow-up study of emerging adults with and without maltreatment histories who participated in a research camp program as children. Maltreatment was determined based on CPS record data, self-regulation was informed by camp counselor report, peer likeability was indicated through camp participants' ratings, and adulthood inflammation was identified via salivary C-reactive protein (CRP). Results indicated that childhood abuse did not have a significant main effect on emerging adulthood inflammation. However, among youth who were more behaviorally disinhibited, the experience of abuse was predictive of lower inflammation. Peer likeability did not significantly moderate the association between abuse and inflammation. Results underscore how multifinality in health outcomes following abuse, including resilience, may be shaped by individual characteristics.