TY - JOUR T1 - Early Life Experiences Moderate the Relationship Between Genetic Risk of Autism and Current and Lifetime Mental Health. JF - Frontiers in Psychiatry Y1 - 2021 A1 - Su Hyun Shin A1 - Wright, Cheryl A1 - Johnston, Susan KW - autism genetics KW - early life experience KW - mother relationship KW - police encounters KW - psychiatric problem AB -

Although individuals with autism are at greater risk of mental health challenges than others, we know little about the relationship between the mental health of older adults (50+) and autism because they are less likely to be diagnosed. Identifying the risk and protective factors that are associated with mental health can increase educational awareness, inform clinical practice, and provide information to help diagnose and treat older adults with autism. This study used longitudinal panel data of the 2008-2016 waves of the Health and Retirement Study. It estimated individual random-effect models by interacting a genetic propensity toward autism and early life experiences to test whether the latter has a moderating effect on the relationships between genetics and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) score, self-reported depression, and history of psychiatric problems. Results suggest that individuals with a higher genetic propensity for autism are less likely to develop psychiatric problems if they report a positive maternal relationship early in life. Further, a combined effect of police encounters early in life and genetic risk for autism is associated with higher CES-D scores, increased odds of self-reported depression, and a history of psychiatric problems. Clinical applications of these findings include the need to establish and support high-quality relationships by addressing both child and caregiver needs. Further, these findings support the need to design and implement proactive interventions to teach police and autistic individuals how to successfully navigate these encounters.

VL - 12 ER - TY - JOUR T1 - The Role of Polygenic Score and Cognitive Activity in Cognitive Functioning among Older Adults JF - Gerontologist Y1 - 2021 A1 - Su Hyun Shin A1 - Park, Soohyun A1 - Wright, Cheryl A1 - D’astous, Valerie Anne A1 - Kim, Giyeon KW - Alzheimer’s disease KW - Cognition KW - Cognitively Stimulating Activity KW - Genetics AB - This study explored whether the intensity of cognitive activities could moderate the relationship between a genetic predisposition for developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and cognitive functioning among older adults in the U.S. Further, we examined whether the same moderating effects were dependent on different measures of cognition.We used a dataset from the 2000-2014 waves of the Health and Retirement Study and the Consumption and Activities Mail Survey. Our sample included 3,793 individuals aged 50 or older. We used the polygenic score (PGS) for AD as a genetic trait for cognitive functioning. Reading, listening to music, using a computer, playing cards/games/solving puzzles, singing/playing musical instruments, and creating art and crafts were included as cognitive activities, and TV viewing as passive activities. We used total cognition, fluid intelligence, and crystallized intelligence as proxies for cognitive functioning. Growth-curve models were conducted.After controlling for covariates, we found that reading books, using a computer, and playing cards/games/solving puzzles had a positive effect on cognitive functioning. An additional hour spent reading books moderated the negative effect of AD PGS on cognition. The measure of fluid, when compared with crystallized intelligence, appeared to drive these results.Reading could be a protective factor against cognitive decline among older adults who are genetically predisposed to developing AD. Implications for individuals, caregivers, clinicians, and policymakers are suggested. Furthermore, the onset of AD in those at a greater genetic risk may be delayed with this intervention. VL - 61 SN - 0016-9013 IS - 3 ER -