Neighborhood disadvantage partially mediates the relationship between childhood maltreatment and risk for dementia
Preeti Chauhan, Kellie Courtney, Kristin Lynch, Cathy Spatz WidomAbstract
INTRODUCTION
Early childhood adversities, including childhood maltreatment, have been associated with dementia risk. Neighborhood disadvantage is associated with both child maltreatment and dementia risk and may, in part, explain the relationship between child maltreatment and dementia risk.
METHODS
Using data from a prospective cohort design study, children with documented cases of maltreatment during 1967 to 1971 and demographically matched controls were followed up and interviewed in adulthood. Neighborhood disadvantage was assessed at two developmental time points, ages 29 and 39. Dementia risk was operationalized using 11 risk factors assessed at mean age 41 from 2003 to 2005.
RESULTS
For the overall sample and White individuals, neighborhood disadvantage partially mediates the relationship between child maltreatment and dementia risk, but not for Black individuals.
DISCUSSION
Contextual factors are important for understanding relationships between early childhood risk factors and dementia risk later in life. However, research is needed to understand race differences in these relationships.