Growing up Fast: The role of Early-Life Adversity and DNA Methylation in Pubertal Development and Sexual Behavior

BackgroundA premise in the life-history framework is that organisms strategically allocate resources to growth, maintenance and reproduction in response to environmental conditions. In the current study, we investigated the relationship between early-life adversity, pubertal maturation, and sexual behavior with a focus on the role of epigenetic mechanisms as potential mediators of these associations.MethodsUsing data from a large, ongoing longitudinal study (N = 15,645) spanning more than the first 27 years of participants' lives, we aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of how early environmental factors and biological processes interact to influence developmental and reproductive outcomes.ResultsConsistent with the life-history framework, earlier maternal age at menarche, lower socioeconomic status, and having experienced child abuse predicted an earlier age at menarche, earlier age at first intercourse, and earlier age at first parenthood. However, epigenetic age acceleration did not mediate these associations.ConclusionsFuture research should explore alternative epigenetic markers and consider broader family dynamics to better understand the nuanced effects of early-life experiences on the onset and course of sexual development and the timing of parenthood.