Peer victimization, school belonging and epigenetic aging in children of Latino immigrants
In an abstract of a U.S. cohort study, among children of immigrant mothers greater peer victimization at age 9 predicted faster epigenetic aging to age 15, while stronger school belonging predicted slower aging; these patterns were not seen in children of U.S.-born Latina mothers. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
The study used Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study data collected in 2007–2010 and 2014–2017 from 341 children, mean age 9.5 years, 50.7% female. [1]
Among children of immigrant mothers, greater peer victimization at age 9 predicted faster epigenetic aging (β = .57, p = .002), and stronger school belonging predicted slower aging (β = -.28, p = .034). [1]
These patterns were not observed among children of U.S.-born Latina mothers. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Cohort study (abstract)
- Population / context
- 341 U.S.-born children of Latino immigrant mothers and children of U.S.-born Latina mothers, mean age 9.5 years, 50.7% female.
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- August 21, 2026
Cohort of children of immigrant and U.S.-born Latina mothers
The abstract describes data from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study, collected in 2007–2010 and 2014–2017. The sample comprised 341 U.S.-born children of Latino immigrants and children of U.S.-born Latina mothers, with a mean age of 9.5 years and 50.7% female. The study asked whether peer victimization and school belonging in middle childhood predicted changes in epigenetic aging from childhood to adolescence, and compared these associations between the two groups of children.
Supporting source [1]
Self-reported experiences at age 9, epigenetic age at 9 and 15
Peer victimization and school belonging were self-reported at age 9. Epigenetic age was estimated at ages 9 and 15 using the Pediatric-Buccal-Epigenetic clock. Among children of immigrant mothers, greater victimization predicted faster aging (β = .57, p = .002), and stronger school belonging predicted slower aging (β = -.28, p = .034). Victimization predicted faster epigenetic aging only when school belonging was moderate or high, which the authors interpret as social threat possibly having greater biological consequences when children are emotionally invested in school.
Supporting source [1]
Patterns absent in children of U.S.-born Latina mothers
The abstract reports that these patterns were not observed among children of U.S.-born Latina mothers. It frames the findings as experiences of inclusion and exclusion possibly becoming biologically embedded and shaping whether early health advantages are maintained or eroded over time. The abstract does not report effect sizes for the comparison group, does not establish causation, and the full text was not reviewed.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. The abstract reports no effect sizes for children of U.S.-born Latina mothers, and the associations are predictive, not causal.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Alvarado-Harris R, Perreira KM. · europepmc.org · August 21, 2026