Cumulative early-life adversity

Cumulative early-life adversity has been studied in 2 papers since 2016: none in people yet, 2 in animals. The research so far is in animals. The newest paper, Aug 15, 2022: “Early-life adversity predicts performance and fitness in a wild social carnivore”.

2 papers study it3 findingsUpdated Aug 15, 2022

Funders: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and others

What did studies of Cumulative early-life adversity find?

Studies of Cumulative early-life adversity measured 1 outcome; the most studied are lifetime reproductive success (1 study).

Lifetime reproductive success

downin C. crocuta1

1 study

Cumulative early-life adversity decreases lifetime reproductive success in C. crocuta.
“Cumulative adversity negatively affected short-term performance and LRS.”
Animalsfemales
Early-life adversity predicts performance and fitness in a wild social carnivore
The Journal of animal ecologyAug 15, 2022

Studies link Cumulative early-life adversity with 2 measures, most often social isolation in adulthood (1 study) and adult lifespan (1).

Social isolation in adulthood

upin baboons1

1 study

Cumulative early-life adversity is associated with social isolation in adulthood in baboons.
“Females who experience the most adversity are also socially isolated in adulthood”
Animalswild baboonsthe most adversityfemalesn = 196
Cumulative early life adversity predicts longevity in wild baboons
Nature communicationsApr 19, 2016

Adult lifespan

downin baboons1

1 study

Cumulative early-life adversity predicts adult lifespan in baboons (Median adult lifespan 10 years shorter with ≥3 versus ≤1 sources of early adversity).
“Females who experience ≥3 sources of early adversity die a median of 10 years earlier than females who experience ≤1 adverse circumstances”
Animalswild baboons≥3 sources versus ≤1 adverse circumstancesfemalesn = 196
Cumulative early life adversity predicts longevity in wild baboons
Nature communicationsApr 19, 2016