Page 73 - Sample Moderate prematurity, socioeconomic status, and neurodevelopment in early childhood

association between poor emotion regulation and CHD risk. Second, the men with a familial risk of CHD might have had greater cardiovascular reactivity in response to emotionally charged events. Evidence from prior studies showed that individual differences in cardiovascular reactivity in response to psychological stress may have its origins in genetics.61-63 This theory may also have links with certain personality traits and mental disorders that predispose to a higher risk of CHD. For example, neuroticism, adjustment disorders, hostility, and anger have been associated with unhealthy responses to daily psychological stressors and higher risk of cardiovascular disease.58, 64, 65
Developmental origins of emotional functioning
The foundations for long-term emotional health are laid in the prenatal period and early postnatal years, which are characterized by rapid cognitive and social- emotional development.66 Therefore, the prenatal period and the early postnatal years are the most plastic and sensitive periods of life. This also implies a high vulnerability to early adverse environments.67 It is clear that experiences of early life adversity affect social-emotional functioning, but the exact mechanisms and links with long-term health problems are unclear. Emotion regulation capacity may be involved here, since it may function as a buffer for harmful effects of early adverse events and environments.15 For example, low SES children are more likely to have difficulties in emotion regulation, which hinders them in adequately responding on adverse events.66 This calls for further research.
Early adversities may also increase vulnerability in some individuals and
promote resilience in others. One explanation for this finding is that coping with
adverse experiences effectively has the function of preparing a child for similar
challenges in adulthood. 68 This may, however, only hold true if the child is capable
of managing the challenges confronting him or her later on in life. Individuals who
did not develop mental health problems after maltreatment in childhood were
characterized by a higher number of protective factors, involving parental care, 7 quality of relationships, and personality characteristics.69 In these cases, it is the
sum of adversities and protective factors that determines health outcomes after experiencing early life adversity.48, 69 This fits with the evidence that cumulative experiences throughout life of socioeconomic and other disadvantages predict higher levels of cardiovascular and metabolic biomarkers.70, 71
General discussion
123