Cited by 128Child Abuse and TraumaTelomeres, Telomerase, and SenescenceChild and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development

Parental responsiveness moderates the association between early-life stress and reduced telomere length

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Asok, A., Bernard, K., Roth, T. L., Rosen, J. B., Dozier, M.·2013·Development and Psychopathology

Abstract

Early-life stress, such as maltreatment, institutionalization, and exposure to violence, is associated with accelerated telomere shortening. Telomere shortening may thus represent a biomarker of early adversity. Previous studies have suggested that responsive parenting may protect children from the negative biological and behavioral consequences of early adversity. This study examined the role of parental responsiveness in buffering children from telomere shortening following experiences of early-life stress. We found that high-risk children had significantly shorter telomeres than low-risk children, controlling for household income, birth weight, gender, and minority status. Further, parental responsiveness moderated the association between risk and telomere length, with more responsive parenting associated with longer telomeres only among high-risk children. These findings suggest that responsive parenting may have protective benefits on telomere shortening for young children exposed to early-life stress. Therefore, this study has important implications for early parenting interventions.

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  • Parental responsiveness may have protective benefits on telomere shortening among high-risk children aged 3.9-6.5 years with a history of early life stress.

    “parental responsiveness may have protective benefits on telomere shortening among high-risk children (ages between 3.9–6.5y) who have a history of early life stress (Asok et al., 2013)”
  • Many subject-level variables, such as age, sex, genetic polymorphisms, resiliency, education, history of early life adversities, parental responsiveness, socioeconomic status, health behaviors, diet, and latent or active viral infections, may affect LTL independent of the disease process being studied.

    “Further, many subject-level variables, such as age, sex, genetic polymorphisms, “resiliency,” education, history of early life adversities, parental responsiveness, socioeconomic status, health behaviors, diet, and latent or active viral infections (e.g., cytomegalovirus or herpes virus) may affect LTL, independent of the disease process being studied (Adler et al., 2013; Asok et al., 2013;”

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  1. Bruce J Kroupina M Parker S Gunnar MR The relationships between cortisol patterns, growth retardation, and developmental delays in postinstitutionalized children. 2000 Paper presented at the International Conference on Infant Studies Brighton, UK

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Authors
Asok, A., Bernard, K., Roth, T. L., Rosen, J. B., & Dozier, M.
Affiliations
University of Delaware (US)
Corresponding author
Asok, A.
Venue
Development and Psychopathology
Published
2013-03-26
Volume
25
Issue
3
Pages
577-585
ISSN
  • 0954-5794 (ISSN-L)
  • 1469-2198
OpenAlex
W2033114852
Cited by
128
References
75
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 17 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 1
FWCI
12.97
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Development and Psychopathology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institute of Mental Health (R01MH084135, R01MH052135, R01MH074374)
  • National Institute of General Medical Sciences (P20GM103653)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Abuse and Trauma
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Telomeres, Telomerase, and Senescence
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
Keywords
parental responsiveness, early life stress, telomere length, telomere shortening, maltreatment, institutionalization, violence exposure, moderation, childhood adversity, protective factors, parenting support, young children
MeSH terms
Adult, Child, Child, Preschool, Female, Humans, Life Change Events, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Parents, Stress, Psychological, Parenting, Telomere Shortening

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