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The Impact of Early Adversity on Health

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Abstract

A harsh early environment has adverse affects on health not only in childhood but across the life span. Chief among the toxic aspects of early environment that have been related to poor health are low childhood socioeconomic status and a harsh family environment, including physical and sexual abuse as well as more modest family dysfunction, such as family conflict, neglect, and a cold, non-nurturant environment. These characteristics of the early environment interact with genetic predispositions to affect socioemotional resources and coping skills; these include such resources as optimism, a sense of mastery or control, self-esteem, and social support. On the negative side, a harsh early environment affects a propensity for chronic negative affect, including depressive symptomatology, anxiety, and hostility. Health habits, such as substance use, diet, and exercise, are also affected by the early environment. Jointly, these factors predict alterations in biological stress regulatory systems. Together in interaction with genetic factors, these pathways help to account for the lifelong effects of early adversity on health.

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  1. Department of Psychology, University of California, 1282A Franz Hall, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA

    Shelley E. Taylor (Distinguished Professor of Psychology)

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  1. St Georges Hospital Medical School, Dept. Psychology, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London, SW17 0RE, United Kingdom

    A. Steptoe

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Taylor, S.E. (2010). The Impact of Early Adversity on Health. In: Steptoe, A. (eds) Handbook of Behavioral Medicine. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-09488-5_36

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