Systematic review of the association between chronic social stress and telomere length: A life course perspective.
Level 3 - non-randomized controlled study
Systematic review of predominantly observational and cross-sectional studies
PubMed 26732034 · doi:10.1016/j.arr.2015.12.006
What was done
Authors conducted a systematic review following a pre-published protocol across MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central, and grey literature through May 1, 2015. Two independent reviewers selected studies investigating associations between chronic social stress (poverty, violence exposure, or caregiving) and telomere length in healthy or diseased children and adults. Eighteen studies met inclusion criteria (16 cross-sectional, 2 longitudinal) and were synthesized narratively.
What was found
The abstract reports no quantitative pooled metrics or effect sizes because high heterogeneity precluded meta-analysis. Qualitatively, the authors found that chronic social stress was associated with shorter telomeres across early-life and adult exposures, with most included studies reporting a statistically significant association.
Why it matters
The review consolidates evidence linking broad socio-environmental stressors like poverty and violence to cellular aging markers across the lifespan, supporting the biological embedding of social adversity.
Limits
The vast majority of included studies (16 of 18) were cross-sectional, precluding causal inference. High heterogeneity in stress definitions, cell types, and telomere measurement methods prevented quantitative meta-analysis. Total participant count is not reported in the abstract.
Cited by
- supports Chronic high stress causes telomere shortening, accelerates aging, impairs gut barrier integrity, and contributes to 90% or more of disease.