Timing of adverse childhood experiences shapes epigenetic ageing and life-history outcomes

This article examines how the timing of adverse childhood experiences shapes epigenetic ageing and later life-history outcomes. Using longitudinal data from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study, it compares sensitive period, cumulative risk, and recency models across multiple forms of adversity, including poverty, instability, deprivation, and maltreatment.

The findings indicate that exposure during specific developmental periods is more strongly associated with epigenetic age acceleration in late childhood than either cumulative adversity or recent exposure. The article further shows that epigenetic ageing is associated with later health-related risks and demographic behaviour, and that it mediates part of the relationship between childhood adversity and young adult outcomes.

Recommended citation: Wang, W. J., & Akimova, E. T. (2026). Timing of adverse childhood experiences shapes epigenetic ageing and life-history outcomes. Scientific Reports. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-58459-1.