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. 2018 Oct;30(4):1435-1445.
doi: 10.1017/S0954579417001754. Epub 2017 Dec 7.

The body remembers: Adolescent conflict struggles predict adult interleukin-6 levels

Joseph P Allen  1 , Emily L Loeb  1 , Joseph S Tan  1 , Rachel K Narr  1 , Bert N Uchino  2
Affiliations

The body remembers: Adolescent conflict struggles predict adult interleukin-6 levels

Joseph P Allen et al. Dev Psychopathol. 2018 Oct.

Abstract

Struggles managing conflict and hostility in adolescent social relationships were examined as long-term predictors of immune-mediated inflammation in adulthood that has been linked to long-term health outcomes. Circulating levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a marker of immune system dysfunction when chronically elevated, were assessed at age 28 in a community sample of 127 individuals followed via multiple methods and reporters from ages 13 to 28. Adult serum IL-6 levels were predicted across periods as long as 15 years by adolescents' inability to defuse peer aggression and poor peer-rated conflict resolution skills, and by independently observed romantic partner hostility in late adolescence. Adult relationship difficulties also predicted higher IL-6 levels but did not mediate predictions from adolescent-era conflict struggles. Predictions were also not mediated by adult trait hostility or aggressive behavior, suggesting the unique role of struggles with conflict and hostility from others during adolescence. The implications for understanding the import of adolescent peer relationships for life span physical health outcomes are considered.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Simultaneous Model Predicting Interleukin-6 Levels at Age 28 from Prior Markers of Struggles with Conflict and Hostility (only significant paths are depicted).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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