Subject Area
Psychology, Clinical
Abstract
Childhood maltreatment is associated with an increased risk of chronic disease and mortality in adulthood, with chronic inflammation emerging as a key pathway. However, findings in the literature are mixed: while some studies associate childhood maltreatment with heightened inflammation, others report no such link. Given the prevalence of childhood maltreatment, identifying protective factors in adulthood is crucial. Social support during childhood has been shown to buffer the effects of early life stress on immune function, yet the role of social support from various sources in adulthood remains unclear. The current study examined the association between childhood maltreatment and the expression of a pattern of immune-related genes known as the Conserved Transcriptional Response to Adversity (CTRA). Additionally, this study investigated whether social support from romantic partners, family, and friends moderated this association. Data were drawn from a community sample of 204 adults who participated in a larger study on immune health in couples. Participants provided blood samples and completed self-report questionnaires on perceived social support and childhood maltreatment. Multilevel models controlled for age, sex, race-ethnicity, body mass index, comorbidities, alcohol, and tobacco use. Contrary to expectations, childhood maltreatment did not significantly predict increased CTRA gene expression. Social support from partners, family, or friends did not moderate this association. Additional covariates, including education, physical activity, and depressive symptoms, retained the non-significant pattern. Post-hoc exploratory analyses revealed no differences by sex or maltreatment subtype. These results suggest childhood maltreatment may not consistently lead to immune dysregulation in adulthood, highlighting the need to investigate resilience factors shaping health outcomes after maltreatment.
Degree Date
Fall 12-21-2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.A.
Department
Clinical Psychology
Advisor
Stephanie J. Wilson, Ph.D.
Second Advisor
Holly J. Bowen, Ph.D.
Third Advisor
Ernest N. Jouriles, Ph.D.
Number of Pages
100
Format
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
Recommended Citation
Syed, Sumaiyah U., "Childhood Maltreatment and the Conserved Transcriptional Response to Adversity (CTRA): The Protective Roles of Social Support From Romantic Partners, Family, and Friends in Adulthood" (2024). Psychology Theses and Dissertations. 54.
https://scholar.smu.edu/hum_sci_psychology_etds/54
