Parenting Practices May Buffer the Impact of Adversity on Epigenetic Age Acceleration Among Young Children With Developmental Delays

Abstract

This study examined whether children exposed to adversity would exhibit lower epigenetic age acceleration in the context of improved parenting. Children with developmental delays and externalizing behavior problems ( N = 62; Mage = 36.26 months; 70.97% boys, 29.03% girls; 71% Latinx, 22.6% Black) were drawn from a larger randomized controlled trial (RCT), which randomized them to receive Internet-delivered parent–child interaction therapy (iPCIT; n = 30) or community referrals as usual (RAU; n = 32). Epigenetic age acceleration was estimated with the pediatric buccal epigenetic clock, using saliva. Adversity was assessed using parent, family, and neighborhood-level cumulative-risk indicators. Adversity interacted with Time 2 (T2) observations of positive and negative-parenting practices to predict epigenetic age acceleration 1.5 years later, regardless of treatment assignment. Children exposed to more adversity displayed lower epigenetic age acceleration when parents evidenced increased positive ( b = −0.15, p = .001) and decreased negative ( b = −0.12, p = .01) parenting practices.

Telehealth Parenting Program and Salivary Epigenetic Biomarkers in Preschool Children With Developmental Delay

“…In conclusion, the observed reduction in the DNAm-derived pace of aging and CRP, coupled with the absence of associations with IL-6 and PedBE age acceleration, 21 underscores the intricate association of parenting interventions with biological markers of aging and inflammation. The specificity of iPCIT intervention effects underscores the necessity of targeted interventions tailored to address distinct aspects of the complex biological and behavioral landscape.…”

“… 18 One mechanism through which this phenomenon may occur is DNA methylation (DNAm), an epigenetic mark that can affect DNA transcription without changing the underlying sequence. 19 Supporting the idea that changes in DNAm are a mechanism for health disparities in children with developmental delay, research has demonstrated this epigenetic marker to be sensitive to the environment, including parenting 20 , 21 and stress, 22 especially during early childhood. 23 Because DNAm is critical for establishing and maintaining cell type identity, 19 differences in cell type proportions can also be informative of inflammation and health in oral tissues, 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 which may be particularly pertinent for those with developmental delays prone to oral bacteria.…”

“…One well-supported and accessible behavioral parenting intervention is internet-based parent-child interaction training (iPCIT), 43 a telehealth-based therapeutic intervention that enhances the parent-child relationship and address behavioral challenges in young children across cultural contexts. 1 , 21 iPCIT focuses on real-time parent-child interactions in children’s natural settings and increased warmth and responsiveness, while reducing harsh and controlling parenting and inconsistent discipline practices. 1 We previously found that improvements in parenting were associated with decreases in epigenetic age acceleration, but only for children in the most adverse environments.…”

“… 1 We previously found that improvements in parenting were associated with decreases in epigenetic age acceleration, but only for children in the most adverse environments. 21 Therefore, it is still unknown if randomized participation in iPCIT, regardless of individual differences in adversity exposure or parenting improvement, could reduce inflammation and the pace of aging observed in DNAm.…”

Childhood Maltreatment and Longitudinal Epigenetic Aging

“…Fourth, considering the small effect sizes observed, future research should explore moderating factors that could amplify or mitigate the association between child maltreatment and epigenetic aging. 58,59 Table 3…”