title: The long-term impact of early adversity on late-life psychiatric disorders.
abstract: Early adversity is a strong and enduring predictor of psychiatric disorders including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, substance abuse or dependence, and posttraumatic stress disorder. However, the mechanisms of this effect are not well understood. The purpose of this review is to summarize and integrate the current research knowledge pertaining to the long-term effects of early adversity on psychiatric disorders, particularly in late life. We explore definitional considerations including key dimensions of the experience such as type, severity, and timing of adversity relative to development. We then review the potential biological and environmental mediators and moderators of the relationships between early adversity and psychiatric disorders. We conclude with clinical implications, methodological challenges and suggestions for future research.
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, 401 Quarry Road, Stanford, CA 94305-5717, USA. gershon@stanford.edu
authors: Anda
authors: A
authors: Gershon
authors: Keith
authors: K
authors: Sudheimer
authors: Rabindra
authors: R
authors: Tirouvanziam
authors: Leanne M
authors: LM
authors: Williams
authors: Ruth
authors: R
authors: O'Hara
mesh_terms: D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000276:immunology / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000276:immunology / Q000523:psychology*