Early-Life Socioeconomic Status and Adult Physiological Functioning: A Life Course Examination of Biosocial Mechanisms

Biodemography and Social Biology
Yang Claire YangKathleen Mullan Harris

Abstract

A growing literature has demonstrated a link between early-life socioeconomic conditions and adult health at a singular point in life. No research exists, however, that specifies the life course patterns of socioeconomic status (SES) in relation to the underlying biological processes that determine health. Using an innovative life course research design consisting of four nationally representative longitudinal datasets that collectively cover the human life span from early adolescence to old age (Add Health, MIDUS, NSHAP, and HRS), we address this scientific gap and assess how SES pathways from childhood into adulthood are associated with biophysiological outcomes in different adult life stages. For each dataset, we constructed standardized composite measures of early-life SES and adult SES and harmonized biophysiological measurements of immune and metabolic functioning. We found that the relative importance of early-life SES and adult SES varied across young, mid, and late adulthood, such that early-life SES sets a life course trajectory of socioeconomic well-being and operates through adult SES to influence health as adults age. We also documented evidence of the detrimental health effects of downward mobility and persistent ...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jun 8, 2018·The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences·April B ScottSuzanne C Segerstrom
Aug 15, 2019·Journal of Health and Social Behavior·Ronald L SimonsRobert A Philibert
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Mar 20, 2019·The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences·Yujun Liu, Margie E Lachman
Jul 2, 2019·International Journal of Epidemiology·Kathleen Mullan HarrisSarah C Dean
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Mar 29, 2019·Annual Review of Sociology·Kathleen Mullan Harris, Kristen M Schorpp
Nov 19, 2020·Journal of Health and Social Behavior·Patricia M Morton, Kenneth F Ferraro
Mar 6, 2021·SSM - Population Health·Grace A NoppertRobert A Hummer
Apr 21, 2021·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Yang Claire YangKathleen Mullan Harris
Jun 4, 2021·The Journals of Gerontology. Series A, Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences·Courtney S Thomas Tobin, Taylor W Hargrove

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Software Mentioned

MIDUS

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