Childhood Stressful Life Events Research Articles

Patterns of stressful life events and polygenic scores for five mental disorders and neuroticism among adults with depression.

The dominant ('general') version of the diathesis-stress theory of depression views stressors and genetic vulnerability as independent risks. In the Australian Genetics of Depression Study (N = 14,146; 75% female), we tested whether polygenic scores (PGS) for major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety, ADHD, and neuroticism were associated with reported exposure to 32 childhood, past-year, lifetime, and accumulated stressful life events (SLEs). In false discovery rate-corrected models, the clearest PGS-SLE relationships were for the ADHD- and depression-PGSs, and to a lesser extent, the anxiety- and schizophrenia-PGSs. We describe the associations for childhood and accumulated SLEs, and the 2-3 strongest past-year/lifetime SLE associations. Higher ADHD-PGS was associated with all childhood SLEs (emotional abuse, emotional neglect, physical neglect; ORs = 1.09-1.14; p's < 1.3 × 10-5), more accumulated SLEs, and reported exposure to sudden violent death (OR = 1.23; p = 3.6 × 10-5), legal troubles (OR = 1.15; p = 0.003), and sudden accidental death (OR = 1.14; p = 0.006). Higher depression-PGS was associated with all childhood SLEs (ORs = 1.07-1.12; p's < 0.013), more accumulated SLEs, and severe human suffering (OR = 1.17; p = 0.003), assault with a weapon (OR = 1.12; p = 0.003), and living in unpleasant surroundings (OR = 1.11; p = 0.001). Higher anxiety-PGS was associated with childhood emotional abuse (OR = 1.08; p = 1.6 × 10-4), more accumulated SLEs, and serious accident (OR = 1.23; p = 0.004), physical assault (OR = 1.08; p = 2.2 × 10-4), and transportation accident (OR = 1.07; p = 0.001). Higher schizophrenia-PGS was associated with all childhood SLEs (ORs = 1.12-1.19; p's < 9.3-8), more accumulated SLEs, and severe human suffering (OR = 1.16; p = 0.003). Higher neuroticism-PGS was associated with living in unpleasant surroundings (OR = 1.09; p = 0.007) and major financial troubles (OR = 1.06; p = 0.014). A reversed pattern was seen for the bipolar-PGS, with lower odds of reported physical assault (OR = 0.95; p = 0.014), major financial troubles (OR = 0.93; p = 0.004), and living in unpleasant surroundings (OR = 0.92; p = 0.007). Genetic risk for several mental disorders influences reported exposure to SLEs among adults with moderately severe, recurrent depression. Our findings emphasise that stressors and diatheses are inter-dependent and challenge diagnosis and subtyping (e.g., reactive/endogenous) based on life events.

Relationship between childhood stressful events and drug consumption among university students

IntroductionThe purpose of this study is to investigate the potential relationship between stressful events experienced in childhood and subsequent toxic substance consumption among university students majoring in Social Education at a Spanish university during the academic year 2022-2023.ObjectivesThe primary objective is to analyze whether an association exists between stressful life events in childhood and patterns of substance consumption among university students.MethodsA cross-sectional, observational, and analytical design was employed. The target population encompassed 258 students enrolled in the Social Education program in 2023. The final sample consisted of 161 students. A questionnaire incorporating the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire - Short Form (CTQ-SF) and the Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS) was administered to assess trauma history and substance consumption.Results A high percentage (95.03%) of students reported having consumed toxic substances at some point in their lives. The most common substances were alcohol (95.03%) and cannabis (52.8%). A statistically significant correlation was observed between childhood emotional abuse and increased alcohol consumption currently (p = 0.015). Furthermore, a significant relationship was identified between childhood sexual abuse and heightened alcohol consumption (p = 0.015). Moreover, positive correlations were found between sexual abuse and the consumption of specific drugs, such as cocaine and psychopharmaceuticals (p &lt; 0.05).No statistically significant differences were observed in drug consumption with regard to other forms of childhood maltreatment, such as emotional or physical neglect.Conclusions The results underscore the connection between childhood stress experiences and substance consumption among university students. Emotional and sexual abuse in childhood are linked to higher alcohol consumption and, in some cases, specific drugs like cocaine and psychopharmaceuticals. These findings emphasize the importance of considering traumatic experiences when addressing prevention and treatment strategies for substance consumption among young student populations.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Lifetime Stressful Events Associated with Alzheimer's Pathologies, Neuroinflammation and Brain Structure in a Risk Enriched Cohort.

Along with the known effects of stress on brain structure and inflammatory processes, increasing evidence suggest a role of chronic stress in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We investigated the association of accumulated stressful life events (SLEs) with AD pathologies, neuroinflammation, and gray matter (GM) volume among cognitively unimpaired (CU) individuals at heightened risk of AD. This cross-sectional cohort study included 1,290 CU participants (aged 48-77) from the ALFA cohort with SLE, lumbar puncture (n = 393), and/or structural magnetic resonance imaging (n = 1,234) assessments. Using multiple regression analyses, we examined the associations of total SLEs with cerebrospinal fluid (1) phosphorylated (p)-tau181 and Aβ1-42/1-40 ratio, (2) interleukin 6 (IL-6), and (3) GM volumes voxel-wise. Further, we performed stratified and interaction analyses with sex, history of psychiatric disease, and evaluated SLEs during specific life periods. Within the whole sample, only childhood and midlife SLEs, but not total SLEs, were associated with AD pathophysiology and neuroinflammation. Among those with a history of psychiatric disease SLEs were associated with higher p-tau181 and IL-6. Participants with history of psychiatric disease and men, showed lower Aβ1-42/1-40 with higher SLEs. Participants with history of psychiatric disease and women showed reduced GM volumes in somatic regions and prefrontal and limbic regions, respectively. We did not find evidence supporting the association of total SLEs with AD, neuroinflammation, and atrophy pathways. Instead, the associations appear to be contingent on events occurring during early and midlife, sex and history of psychiatric disease. ANN NEUROL 2024;95:1058-1068.

Life-course stress, cognition, and diurnal cortisol in memory clinic patients without dementia

AimsTo examine associations of life-course stress with cognition and diurnal cortisol patterns in older adulthood, as well as potential mediation effects of diurnal cortisol patterns and perceived stress on the association between life-course stress and cognition. Methods127 participants without dementia were selected from a cohort of Swedish memory clinic patients. Cross-sectional associations between scores on two chronic stress questionnaires (perceived stress, stressful life events (SLEs)), five cognitive domains (overall cognition, memory, working memory, processing speed, perceptual reasoning), and two measures of diurnal cortisol patterns (total daily output, diurnal cortisol slope), as well as potential mediation effects of diurnal cortisol patterns and perceived stress on associations between life-course stress and cognition, were assessed using linear regressions. ResultsGreater lifetime exposure to SLEs was associated with worse memory, working memory, and processing speed performance, but not with diurnal cortisol patterns. A greater number of SLEs in late childhood was associated with worse working memory and processing speed, while a greater number of SLEs in non-recent adulthood were associated with better overall cognition and perceptual reasoning. Greater perceived stress was associated with a flattened diurnal cortisol slope, but not with cognition. No evidence for interplay between self-reported and physiological stress markers was found in relation to cognition, although there appeared to be a significant positive indirect association between economic/legal SLEs and the diurnal cortisol slope via perceived stress. ConclusionsThe associations between SLEs and cognition depend on the period during which SLEs occur, but seem independent of late-life cortisol dysregulation.

Childhood adversities and post-military-service incarceration in a male UK Armed Forces Veteran sample from Northern Ireland

LAY SUMMARY Experiencing stressful or traumatic events in childhood has been linked with negative outcomes later in adulthood, one of which is involvement with the criminal justice system. This study explored whether there was a relationship between experiencing stressful life events in childhood and incarceration in adulthood (post-military service) among UK Armed Forces Veterans based in Northern Ireland (NI). Some individuals may experience only one type of adversity, some may experience many types of adversities, and others may experience no adversity. This study used a statistical technique (latent class analysis) that allowed the authors to explore how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) varied among a sample of UK Armed Forces Veterans residing in NI. It revealed four groups of Veterans, each characterized by different types of experiences in childhood. The authors explored whether belonging to these groups increased the likelihood of incarceration, finding that those who experienced multiple adversities were at greater risk of incarceration after military service. Personnel involved in the care and support of military personnel should consider military personnel’s history of multiple ACEs.

Stressful life events, psychosocial health and general health in preschool children before age 4

BackgroundThe impact of stressful life events (SLEs) in early childhood is often ignored. We aimed to examine longitudinal associations between SLEs and psychosocial and general health in preschool children.MethodsTwelve SLEs occurring before the age of 24 months were assessed and categorized by frequency (no events, 1–2 SLEs, and > 2 SLEs) and overall tension (no events, low, and high) (n = 1431). Psychosocial and general health were measured three times at the age of 24, 36 and 45 months. The associations were examined by logistic regression models using generalized estimating equations to handle repeated measurements.ResultsHalf (48.4%) of the families experienced SLEs, and 23.8% perceived high-tension SLEs before the children were aged 24 months. Gender differences were observed in the association between SLEs and psychosocial health. Compared to girls without SLEs, girls who experienced > 2 SLEs [OR = 3.31, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.05–5.35] or high-tension SLEs (OR = 3.01, 95% CI 2.07–4.39) had higher odds of psychosocial problems from 24 to 45 months. The odds ratios in boys were 2.10 (95% CI 1.36–3.24) and 1.47 (95% CI 1.06–2.03), respectively. Moreover, only girls’ risk of psychosocial problems increased after experiencing 1–2 SLEs (OR = 2.15, 95% CI 1.54–3.00) or low-tension SLEs (OR = 1.90, 95% CI 1.31–2.74). Regarding general health, children who experienced > 2 SLEs (OR = 1.96, 95% CI 1.21–3.18) and high-tension SLEs (OR = 1.60, 95% CI 1.12–2.28) had higher odds of poor general health from 24 to 45 months.ConclusionsThe findings emphasized that young children’s psychosocial and general health can be impacted by experiencing SLEs in early childhood. Attention and adequate support for families experiencing SLEs are needed to minimize the potential negative effect of SLEs on child health, particularly in girls.

207 The impact of childhood stressful life events on atopic dermatitis disease activity and severity: A prospective study

Stress has been associated with atopic dermatitis (AD), however, longitudinal data on the association with AD course are limited. We aimed to examine whether stressful life events are associated with increased AD disease activity and severity throughout childhood using the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children prospective English birth cohort, comprised of 13,972 children with assessments from birth. The primary exposure was a standardized, age-appropriate scale of stressful life events repeated at 7 times points between ages 1.5 and 8.5. The primary outcome was a repeated measure of AD period prevalence, as defined by caregiver-reported symptoms of flexural dermatitis. The annual period prevalence of AD ranged from 18-21%. For each standard deviation (SD) increase in stressful life events across childhood there was an increased risk of AD activity (OR: 1.07; 95% CI 1.04-1.16), and the association was largest with severe disease (OR 1.13, 95%CI 1.02-1.23). There was no effect modification by the presence of filaggrin gene null mutations or history of asthma or rhinitis. Given the nature of the stressful life events measured, reverse causality is not likely to be an explanation for the results. In a large, prospective, population-based study, we found that stressful life events in childhood confer a small, but significant, risk in increased AD activity and severity. These findings suggest that the impact of stress-reducing interventions should be further investigated in those with AD.

Hair Cortisol Is Associated With Social Support and Symptoms in Schizophrenia.

IntroductionPsychosocial stressors may worsen psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia, while social support could protect against the effects of stress in schizophrenia. Hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction has been associated with schizophrenia. Hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) allow assessment of cumulative cortisol secretion over the preceding 3 months. The relationship between HCC, psychosocial stressors, social support, and the clinical characteristics of schizophrenia needs to be explored.MethodsOne hundred nine schizophrenia patients and 86 healthy controls between the ages of 18 and 60 were enrolled in the study. Three-centimeter samples of hair were collected from the scalp and HCC were measured using ELISA kits. Linear regression and factor analysis were employed to examine the relationship between HCC, childhood trauma, the number of stressful life events (SLE), the amount of social support in the 3 months prior to the hair cortisol assessment and clinical characteristics of schizophrenia.ResultsSchizophrenia patients experience more SLE in their lifetime, receive less social support, and have lower HCC in the recent 3 months compared to healthy controls. In the schizophrenia patients, HCC are positively associated with the amount of social support and negatively associated with the severity of delusions. The interaction between social support and SLE predicts decreased HCC. Factor analysis shows that a subgroup of schizophrenia patients who experience childhood trauma and SLE are characterized by decreased HCC.ConclusionsFindings indicate social support could be a moderator for the relationship between SLE and HCC which may attenuate the effects of SLE in schizophrenia.

Parental divorce in childhood does not independently predict maternal depressive symptoms during pregnancy

BackgroundThis study sought to investigate if parental divorce in childhood increases the risk for depressive symptoms in pregnancy.MethodsWomen were recruited during their ultrasound screening in gestational week (gwk) 12. The final study sample consisted of 2,899 pregnant women. Questionnaires (including the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) were completed at three measurement points (gwk 14, 24 and 34). Prenatal depressive symptoms were defined as Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale score ≥ 13. Parental divorce and other stressful life events in childhood were assessed at gwk 14. Parental divorce was defined as separation of parents who were married or cohabiting. Questionnaire data was supplemented with data from Statistics Finland and the Finnish Medical Birth Register.ResultsParental divorce in childhood increased the risk for depressive symptoms during pregnancy (OR 1.47; 95% CI 1.02–2.13), but the connection was no longer significant after adjusting for socioeconomic status, family conflicts and witnessing domestic violence in the childhood family (OR 0.80; 95% CI 0.54–1.18).ConclusionsParental divorce alone does not predict depressive symptoms during pregnancy.

The role of autonomy-connectedness in the relation between childhood stressful life events, current posttraumatic symptoms, and internalizing psychopathology in adulthood.

Autonomy-connectedness (AC), the adult capacity for self-governance while being connected to others, reflects the healthy capacity of adults for self-steering. The present study's main aim was to investigate whether childhood stressful life events were associated with psychopathological symptoms in adulthood, but only in people with AC deficits. We estimated path models based on data from several assessment waves, concerning childhood stressful life events, AC, and internalizing psychopathological symptoms (including posttraumatic symptoms) completed by panel members from the Longitudinal Internet Studies for the Social Sciences panel (community sample). We found positive associations between AC deficits and childhood stressful life events, on one hand, and psychopathological symptoms in adulthood, on the other hand, as well as between childhood stressful life events and the AC component Sensitivity to Others. Importantly, we found that the association between childhood stressful life events and trauma-related hyperarousal symptoms was strongest in individuals with low levels of the AC components Self-Awareness and Capacity for Managing New Situations (moderation). Childhood stressful life events also interacted with Self-Awareness in predicting general mental health symptoms. All effect sizes were small. Deficits in AC, particularly regarding Self-Awareness and Capacity for Managing New Situations, may represent a vulnerability factor for developing trauma-related psychopathology. Enhancing AC may be a beneficial treatment approach for trauma-related psychopathology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Stress and Salivary Telomere Length in the Second Half of Life: A Comparison of Life-course Models.

Previous research has explored the relationship between childhood and adulthood stressful life events (SLEs) and adult salivary telomere length (TL), but no research to date has tested different life-course models in which stress in adulthood may fully, partly, or not mediate the relationship between childhood stress and adult TL. To fill this gap, we elaborate over previous work by Puterman et al. (2016) and other standard models that do not account for the temporal order of stressors in childhood and adulthood, by using structural equation modeling (SEM) for a sample of 5,754 Health and Retirement Study (HRS) participants to compare the fit of three nested life-course models-social trajectory, early critical period, and cumulative risk. Results indicated that the social trajectory model, in which the association between childhood SLEs and TL in later adulthood is fully mediated by adulthood SLEs, fit the data better than the early critical period (no mediation) and cumulative risk (partial mediation) models. In the social trajectory model, childhood SLEs are related to TL in later life only through adulthood SLEs. The direct physiological effect of childhood SLEs on TL in later life would be overestimated if adulthood SLEs are overlooked.

The influence of stressful life events, psychopathy, and their interaction on internalizing and externalizing psychopathology

Exposure to stressful life events increases risk for both internalizing and externalizing psychopathology, but less is known about moderators of the association between stressful life events and psychopathology. The present study examined the influence of stressful life events, psychopathy, and their interaction on internalizing and externalizing psychopathology in 3877 individuals from the community. We hypothesized that (1) exposure to stressful life events would be a transdiagnostic risk factor for psychopathology, (2) primary and secondary psychopathy would be differentially associated with internalizing psychopathology, and (3) primary psychopathy would moderate the association between stressful life events and internalizing psychopathology. Confirming existing findings, our results were consistent with the first and second hypotheses. In contrast to our third hypothesis, primary psychopathy was not associated with stressful life events in childhood, inconsistently associated with stressful life events in adolescence, and did not moderate the association between stressful life events and internalizing psychopathology. Furthermore, stressful life events across development were associated with secondary psychopathy and internalizing and externalizing psychopathology. We also found similar associations between stressful life events, psychopathy, and psychopathology in females and males. Future studies investigating the impact of stressful life events on psychopathology should include psychopathic traits and stress-reactivity.

Genetically Informative Mediation Modeling Applied to Stressors and Personality-Disorder Traits in Etiology of Alcohol Use Disorder.

A statistical mediation model was developed within a twin design to investigate the etiology of alcohol use disorder (AUD). Unlike conventional statistical mediation models, this biometric mediation model can detect unobserved confounding. Using a sample of 1410 pairs of Norwegian twins, we investigated specific hypotheses that DSM-IV personality-disorder (PD) traits mediate effects of childhood stressful life events (SLEs) on AUD, and that adulthood SLEs mediate effects of PDs on AUD. Models including borderline PD traits indicated unobserved confounding in phenotypic path coefficients, whereas models including antisocial and impulsive traits did not. More than half of the observed effects of childhood SLEs on adulthood AUD were mediated by adulthood antisocial and impulsive traits. Effects of PD traits on AUD 5‒10years later were direct rather than mediated by adulthood SLEs. The results and the general approach contribute to triangulation of developmental origins for complex behavioral disorders.

Supplemental Material for The Role of Autonomy–Connectedness in the Relation Between Childhood Stressful Life Events, Current Posttraumatic Symptoms, and Internalizing Psychopathology in Adulthood

Supplemental Material for The Role of Autonomy–Connectedness in the Relation Between Childhood Stressful Life Events, Current Posttraumatic Symptoms, and Internalizing Psychopathology in Adulthood

The Development of Future Orientation is Associated with Faster Decline in Hopelessness during Adolescence.

Hopelessness is implicated in multiple psychological disorders. Little is known, however, about the trajectory of hopelessness during adolescence or how emergent future orientation may influence its trajectory. Parallel process latent growth curve modelling tested whether (i) trajectories of future orientation and hopelessness and (ii) within-individual change in future orientation and hopelessness were related. The study was comprised of 472 adolescents [52% female, 47% Caucasian, 47% received free lunch] recruited at ages 12-13 who completed measures of future orientation and hopelessness at five annual assessments. The results indicate that a general decline in hopelessness across adolescence occurs quicker for those experiencing faster development of future orientation, when controlling for age, sex, low socio-economic status in addition to stressful life events in childhood and adolescence. Stressful childhood life events were associated with worse future orientation at baseline and negative life events experienced during adolescence were associated with both an increase in the trajectory of hopelessness as well as a decrease in the trajectory of future orientation. This study provides compelling evidence that the development of future orientation during adolescence is associated with a faster decline in hopelessness.

Stressful life events in childhood and allergic sensitization.

Stressful life events evidently have an impact on development of allergic diseases, but the mechanism linking stress to pathological changes of immune system function is still not fully understood. The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between stressful life events, neuropeptide and cytokine concentrations in children as well as the association between early stressful life events and atopic eczema (AE). Within the LISA plus (Life style – Immune system – Allergy) study, blood samples from children of 6 years of age were analyzed for concentration of the neuropeptides vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), somatostatin (SOM), substance P (SP) and the Th1/Th2 cytokines IFN-γ and IL-4. Life events such as severe disease or death of a family member, unemployment or divorce of the parents were assessed with a questionnaire filled in by the parents. Furthermore, lifetime prevalence of AE and incidence after the assessment period of life events were compared. Our data suggest that separation/ divorce of parents increase childrens risk of developing AE later in life. Children with separated/divorced parents showed high VIP levels and high concentrations of the Th2 cytokine IL-4 in their blood. Severe diseases and death of a family member were neither associated with neuropeptide levels nor with cytokine concentrations. Unemployment of the parents was associated with decreased IFN-γ concentrations in childrens blood but not with neuropeptide levels. Thus, the neuropeptide VIP might be a mediator between stressful life events and immune regulation contributing to the Th2-shifted immune response in children with separated/divorced parents.

The impact of childhood stressful life events on health and behavior in at-risk youth

Stressful life events experienced in childhood affect heath throughout the lifespan. Given the high prevalence of stressful life events, especially for children at-risk for child welfare involvement, the impacts of these events across different developmental stages need to be better understood. The current study examines the relation between previously experienced stressful life events and psychosocial health and risk behaviors in adolescence. Several links between maltreatment and psychosocial health were found. Namely, youth who had experienced sexual abuse were more likely to report anxious arousal symptoms, youth who had experienced physical maltreatment and emotional maltreatment were more likely to drop out of school, and youth who had experienced neglect were more likely to dropout, have unprotected sex and use cigarettes. Latent class analysis of life events revealed three groups of children with certain patterns of life events: Chronic, Moderate/Declining, and Low Life Events. After accounting for gender, race, and exposure to maltreatment, members of the Chronic Life Events group uniquely and significantly predicted higher likelihood of Anger/Irritability, Depression, Intrusive Experiences, and Dissociation on the Trauma Symptom Inventory at age 18. Additionally, members of the Chronic Life Events group were significantly more likely to drop out of school, have more sexual partners, be arrested more often and use marijuana or other illicit drugs more often. Membership in the Moderate/Declining Life Events group was significantly associated with likelihood of dropping out of school. The amount of stressful life events appears to be strong predictors of psychosocial outcomes and risk behaviors in adolescence. Efforts to intervene and prevent childhood exposure to stressful life events—particularly in children at-risk and/or maltreated—should begin early in life and continue throughout childhood and adolescence.

Pseudoinheritance and Chronicity in Social Exclusion: Stressful Life Events in Childhood and Precocious Adulthood Among Trash Pickers in León (Nicaragua)

AbstractThis study analyses the stressful life events experienced in childhood and adolescence and the onset of precocious adulthood among individuals who earn their livelihood in the dump (n = 99) in León (Nicaragua). The results show that the trash pickers of León suffered from many stressful life events during their childhood and adolescence, which were extremely serious and occurred from very early ages. Furthermore, these people began to engage in adult activities at a very early age. Both factors may have a significant impact on the chronicity of the trash pickers' social exclusion. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

History of violence and other stressful life events in youth offenders

According to Law 5/2000, which regulates the criminal responsibility of minors, minor offenders are those who commit crimes or offenses established in the Penal Code or special criminal laws between 14 and 18 years. Those with judicial measures of internment present the most complex and disadvantaged situation. It has been evidenced the association between the experience of stressful life events in childhood and adolescence and a subsequent emotional and/or behavioral maladjustment, therefore, this study aims to know the stressful life events of a sample of youth offenders institutionalized in a minors center. For this purpose, the reports of 72 young people (79.2% men) were analyzed. The juvenile offenders presented a vital trajectory characterized by the experience of numerous stressful non-normative vital events typified as serious or very serious in the family, social, school, psychological and criminal domain. The findings are discussed in terms of prevention and treatment planning for antisocial and delinquent behavior in juvenile offenders.

The Effects of Life Events and Socioeconomic Position in Childhood and Adulthood on Successful Aging.

Building on social stress theory, this study has 2 aims. First, we aim to estimate the effects of stressful life events in childhood and adulthood on Successful Aging (SA). Second, we examine how unequal exposure to such life events between individuals with different socioeconomic position (SEP) contributes to socioeconomic inequalities in SA. We used 16-year longitudinal data from 2,185 respondents aged 55-85 years in 1992 in the Dutch nationally representative Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam. Measurement of SA was based on earlier work, in which we integrated trajectories in 9 indicators of functioning into an index of SA. Using path analysis, we investigated direct and indirect effects of parental and adulthood SEP as well as of self-reported childhood and adulthood life events on SA. Almost all included life events had negative direct effects on SA. Parental SEP had no direct effect on SA, whereas adulthood SEP had. Higher Parental SEP increased the likelihood of parental problems and parental death in childhood, resulting in negative indirect effects on SA. Higher adulthood SEP had both positive and negative indirect effects on SA, through increasing the likelihood of divorce and unemployment, but decreasing the likelihood of occupational disability. SEP and particular stressful life events are largely, but not entirely independent predictors of SA. We found that high and low SEP may increase exposure to particular events that negatively affect SA. Findings suggest that low (childhood) SEP and stressful life events are interrelated factors that may limit individual opportunities to age successfully.