Self-control forecasts better psychosocial outcomes but faster epigenetic aging in low-SES youth

Abstract

There are persistent socioeconomic disparities in many aspects of child development in America. Relative to their affluent peers, children of low socioeconomic status (SES) complete fewer years of education, have a higher prevalence of health problems, and are convicted of more criminal offenses. Based on research indicating that low self-control underlies some of these disparities, policymakers have begun incorporating character-skills training into school curricula and social services. However, emerging data suggest that for low-SES youth, self-control may act as a "double-edged sword," facilitating academic success and psychosocial adjustment, while at the same time undermining physical health. Here, we examine this hypothesis in a five-wave study of 292 African American teenagers from rural Georgia. From ages 17 to 20 y, we assessed SES and self-control annually, along with depressive symptoms, substance use, aggressive behavior, and internalizing problems. At age 22 y, we obtained DNA methylation profiles of subjects' peripheral blood mononuclear cells. These data were used to measure epigenetic aging, a methylationderived biomarker reflecting the disparity between biological and chronological aging. Among high-SES youth, better mid-adolescent self-control presaged favorable psychological and methylation outcomes. However, among low-SES youth, self-control had divergent associations with these outcomes. Self-control forecasted lower rates of depressive symptoms, substance use, aggressive behavior, and internalizing problems but faster epigenetic aging. These patterns suggest that for low-SES youth, resilience is a "skin-deep" phenomenon, wherein outward indicators of success can mask emerging problems with health. These findings have conceptual implications for models of resilience, and practical implications for interventions aimed at ameliorating social and racial disparities.health disparities | resilience | stress | poverty | aging

Disadvantage, self-control, and health

“…The majority of findings presented by Miller et al (3) replicate previous studies showing benefits of self-control. In a sample of low-SES, African-American high school students in a rural area, those with greater self-control had greater reductions in psychosocial problems including depression, internalizing symptoms, aggressive behavior, and substance abuse.…”

Emerging Adulthood as a Critical Stage in the Life Course

“…Socioeconomic status has been identified as one of the most important health determinants throughout the life course (Miller et al 2015). Low financial resources and all the other exposures that go along with poverty -poor schools, chaotic families, exposure to violence, and victimization -limit opportunities for growth or acquisition of other resources that enhance quality of life (Wadsworth et al 2016;Kim et al 2015).…”

“…Similarly, many potential powerful positive influences can occur during this period in life (e.g., marriage, educational achievement, mentoring) that can enhance the developmental and mental health trajectory. Therefore, experiences both distal (early childhood) and proximal (during emerging adulthood) can influence, either positively or negatively, the developmental and mental health trajectory of the emerging adult (Miller et al 2015). Practical supports during EA provided by families include financial support for education, transportation, independent living, health insurance, and other necessities.…”

Socioeconomic status, psychological resources, and inflammatory markers: Results from the MIDUS study.

“…Nevertheless, better psychological functioning may not be uniformly related to better physical health status in all populations, even at low levels of SES. For example, a recent study reported that greater self-control was associated with a marker of faster epigenetic aging in rural African-American youth (Miller, Yu, Chen, & Brody, 2015). …”