Two large datasets, ELSA and UK Biobank, were analyzed to study the association between early adversities and various outcomes such as physical health, mental health, lifestyle, and cognition. Both datasets found that early adversities were negatively associated with these outcomes, with specific patterns of associations depending on the type of adversity experienced. In both cohorts, early adversities were consistently associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms. Education was found to be a significant mediator in these associations, highlighting its importance in resilience.
However, there were some discrepancies between the two cohorts, potentially due to differences in assessments and cohort characteristics. The study also noted limitations such as the lack of perfect overlap between adversities in the two cohorts and the reliance on self-reported and retrospective data which may be subject to biases.
Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the impact of early adversities on various aspects of health and well-being. Future research should focus on using longitudinal data, including cohorts from different countries, and addressing biases to strengthen the generalizability of the results. Understanding the mediating role of education in these associations could also lead to interventions aimed at improving outcomes for individuals who have experienced early adversities.
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