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Research Article

Self-control forecasts better psychosocial outcomes but faster epigenetic aging in low-SES youth

Gregory E. Miller, Tianyi Yu, Edith Chen, and Gene H. Brody
  1. aDepartment of Psychology and Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208;
  2. bCenter for Family Research, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602

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PNAS August 18, 2015 112 (33) 10325-10330; first published July 13, 2015; https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1505063112
Gregory E. Miller
aDepartment of Psychology and Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208;
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  • For correspondence: greg.miller@northwestern.edu
Tianyi Yu
bCenter for Family Research, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602
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Edith Chen
aDepartment of Psychology and Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208;
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Gene H. Brody
bCenter for Family Research, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602
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  1. Edited by Shelley E. Taylor, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, and approved June 16, 2015 (received for review March 12, 2015)

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Significance

Most childhood outcomes pattern by socioeconomic status (SES). Children from low-SES families complete less education, have worse health, and are convicted of more crimes. To ameliorate these disparities, policymakers are incorporating character-skills training into school curricula and social services. Among other goals, these programs attempt to improve self-control, or the ability to resist temptations that interfere with long-term aspirations. However, data suggest that self-control has unforeseen consequences for the health of low-SES youth. Here, we follow 292 African American teenagers as they transition into adulthood. Among low-SES youth, self-control forecasted better psychosocial outcomes, including less depression, substance use, and aggression. However, it also forecasted more rapid immune cell aging, highlighting the potential health costs of successful adjustment for disadvantaged youth.

Abstract

There are persistent socioeconomic disparities in many aspects of child development in America. Relative to their affluent peers, children of low socioeconomic status (SES) complete fewer years of education, have a higher prevalence of health problems, and are convicted of more criminal offenses. Based on research indicating that low self-control underlies some of these disparities, policymakers have begun incorporating character-skills training into school curricula and social services. However, emerging data suggest that for low-SES youth, self-control may act as a “double-edged sword,” facilitating academic success and psychosocial adjustment, while at the same time undermining physical health. Here, we examine this hypothesis in a five-wave study of 292 African American teenagers from rural Georgia. From ages 17 to 20 y, we assessed SES and self-control annually, along with depressive symptoms, substance use, aggressive behavior, and internalizing problems. At age 22 y, we obtained DNA methylation profiles of subjects’ peripheral blood mononuclear cells. These data were used to measure epigenetic aging, a methylation-derived biomarker reflecting the disparity between biological and chronological aging. Among high-SES youth, better mid-adolescent self-control presaged favorable psychological and methylation outcomes. However, among low-SES youth, self-control had divergent associations with these outcomes. Self-control forecasted lower rates of depressive symptoms, substance use, aggressive behavior, and internalizing problems but faster epigenetic aging. These patterns suggest that for low-SES youth, resilience is a “skin-deep” phenomenon, wherein outward indicators of success can mask emerging problems with health. These findings have conceptual implications for models of resilience, and practical implications for interventions aimed at ameliorating social and racial disparities.

  • health disparities
  • resilience
  • stress
  • poverty
  • aging

Footnotes

  • ↵ 1To whom correspondence should be addressed. Email: greg.miller{at}northwestern.edu.
  • Author contributions: G.E.M., E.C., and G.H.B. designed research; G.E.M., T.Y., and G.H.B. performed research; T.Y. analyzed data; and G.E.M., T.Y., E.C., and G.H.B. wrote the paper.

  • The authors declare no conflict of interest.

  • This article is a PNAS Direct Submission.

  • See Commentary on page 10078.

  • This article contains supporting information online at www.pnas.org/lookup/suppl/doi:10.1073/pnas.1505063112/-/DCSupplemental.

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Skin-deep resilience
Gregory E. Miller, Tianyi Yu, Edith Chen, Gene H. Brody
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Aug 2015, 112 (33) 10325-10330; DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1505063112

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Skin-deep resilience
Gregory E. Miller, Tianyi Yu, Edith Chen, Gene H. Brody
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Aug 2015, 112 (33) 10325-10330; DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1505063112
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  • Disadvantage, self-control, and health
    - Aug 10, 2015
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