Saumya Pandey
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Written By: saumya pandey | Updated : December 10, 2023 4:01 PM IST
Parenting can be challenging, and patience is crucial.
Research indicates that children exposed to adversity in their early years may undergo accelerated biological aging. High levels of adversity, including trauma, maltreatment, chronic stress, and exposure to violence, can contribute to faster physical aging compared to chronological age. Recent research led by Dr. Alexandra Sullivan, as part of a National Institute of Child Health and Human Development training grant, delves into the impact of positive parenting interventions on children facing adversity. The study, conducted at the University of Rhode Island with collaboration from Florida International University and Stanford University, aimed to explore whether enhancing positive parenting behaviors can mitigate the accelerated biological aging process.
The study focused on the biological clock or epigenetic age, which can sometimes outpace chronological age. Understanding that experiences like trauma and chronic stress contribute to premature aging, the researchers sought to examine if supporting families facing adversities through positive parenting interventions could reverse or buffer these negative effects.
Families with children experiencing developmental delays and disruptive behavior were part of the study. They were randomly assigned to receive parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT) sessions via telehealth, aimed at teaching positive parenting skills. The intervention involved real-time coaching by therapists, guiding parents on increasing warmth and support while discouraging negative behaviors like yelling or hitting.
Positive parenting programs, like the one studied, have a known track record of reducing disruptive behavior, enhancing positive parenting skills, and alleviating family stress. This study sought to determine whether such programs could influence epigenetic aging processes.
Children exposed to high levels of adversity displayed lower epigenetic age acceleration when parents increased positive parenting practices and decreased negative behaviors. The findings suggest that positive parenting interventions have the potential to slow down or even reverse the biological aging process induced by adversity.
The research team will delve into the epigenetic mechanisms of risk and resilience. Aspirationally, the goal is to develop a saliva-based biomarker to identify children at risk for mental health struggles. The ultimate objective is to create biologically informed personalized prevention services for families.
The study underscores the significance of supporting families, especially those facing adversities. Positive parenting interventions contribute to immediate improvements in behavior and family dynamics and can positively impact children's biological aging, offering a novel approach to mental health prevention services. The research advocates for increased access to such services, hoping that policymakers and stakeholders prioritize family support initiatives.
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