Childhood adversity, allostatic load, and adult mental health: Study protocol using the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children birth cohort

Sabine Finlay; Robert-Paul Juster; Oyelola Adegboye; Donna Rudd; Brett McDermott; Zoltán Sarnyai

doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.976140

Childhood adversity, allostatic load, and adult mental health: Study protocol using the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children birth cohort

Front Psychiatry. 2023 Jan 5:13:976140. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.976140. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Sabine Finlay^{1

2

3}, Robert-Paul Juster^{4

5}, Oyelola Adegboye^{2

3}, Donna Rudd³, Brett McDermott⁶, Zoltán Sarnyai^{1

2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Laboratory of Psychiatric Neuroscience, Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia.
² Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia.
³ College of Public Health, Medical & Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia.
⁴ Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
⁵ Research Centre of the Montreal Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada.
⁶ College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia.

Abstract

Introduction: The cumulative burden of chronic stress and life events has been termed allostatic load. Elevated allostatic load indices are associated with different mental health conditions in adulthood. To date, however, the association between elevated allostatic load in childhood and later development of mental health conditions has not been investigated.

Methods: Using data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), we will calculate allostatic load indices using biomarkers representing the cardiovascular, metabolic, immune, and neuroendocrine systems, at the ages of 9 and 17 years. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models will be used to investigate the association between allostatic load and psychiatric disorders in adulthood. Furthermore, the role of adverse childhood experiences as a modifier will be investigated.

Discussion: This protocol describes a strategy for investigating the association between elevated allostatic load indices in childhood at the age of 9 years old and psychiatric disorders in adulthood at 24 years old.

Keywords: ALSPAC; adverse childhood experiences; allostatic load (AL); mental health disorders; psychiatry.

Abstract

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