PROJECT SUMMARY
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common, often recurrent mental health problem associated with
an increased likelihood for several common physical health problems and a decreased lifespan. A history of
experiencing childhood maltreatment is considered a major risk factor for the development of MDD in
adulthood, as well as an overall worse course of illness. Dysregulation of the immune system and associated
inflammation has emerged as a leading theory in helping to explain the association between childhood
maltreatment and MDD in adulthood. Unfortunately, two pressing problems have persisted throughout this
field. First, studies are highly heterogeneous in their designs or are not representative of the U.S., despite the
U.S. having the highest incidence of MDD among all high-income nations. Second, many studies poorly assess
the role of sex, implementing it as a covariate despite recognition that sex affects the associations between
childhood maltreatment, inflammation, and MDD systemically. Even fewer studies account for the roles of
both sex and gender. The research agenda outlined in this F31 proposal will utilize data from the National
Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), a nationally representative U.S. sample
following adolescents to midlife. Aim 1 will model the associations between different types of childhood
maltreatment, inflammation, and MDD symptoms in the U.S. using a multi-wave design. Aim 2 will explore
how both sex and gender may affect the associations between childhood maltreatment, inflammation, and
MDD symptoms. During the completion of these outlined aims the applicant will achieve three training goals.
Training Goal 1 will focus on developing the applicant’s abilities in conducting longitudinal path modeling
with large multi-wave data sets. Training Goal 2 will focus on developing the applicant’s ability to explore
sex-differences as they pertain to MDD, childhood maltreatment, and inflammation, while also gaining
experience with propensity score matching. Training Goal 3 will focus on professional development through
readings, lab meetings, peer review trainings, and presenting at several academic venues.
