Abstract
Child maltreatment (CM) has long-term consequences for metabolic and inflammatory processes, but it is unclear when these associations emerge and whether other psychosocial resources (e.g., social support), can moderate these associations. This study examined (1) the extent to which a history of CM investigation was associated with changes in youth high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and body mass index (BMI) across a two-year period, and (2) the moderating role of social support from different sources (caregivers, siblings, and peers) on this association. Participants included 318 youth (ages 8-13, 49.7 % female, 72 % white, 82.7 % with past CM investigation) who completed baseline (Time 1) and two-year follow up (Time 2) visits. CM history, hs-CRP and BMI were assessed at T1. Caregiver, peer, and sibling support, hs-CRP, and BMI were assessed at T2. Adjusting for youth age, sex, race/ethnicity, household income, and hs-CRP and BMI at Time 1, no main effects of CM history on Time 2 hs-CRP or BMI were found (ps > 0.28). However, independent of CM history, greater peer support was associated with lower BMI at Time 2 (β = -0.10, p = 0.005). Peer support further moderated the association between CM history and Time 2 BMI (β = -0.16, p = 0.007), such that CM history was associated with higher BMI only when peer support was relatively lower. Additionally, independent of CM history, greater sibling support was associated with lower hs-CRP at Time 2 (β = -0.09, p = 0.03). Post-hoc sensitivity analyses suggested unique effects when considering the number of types of CM experienced. Experiencing more types of CM was associated with greater Time 2 hs-CRP only when peer support was relatively lower (β = 0.07, p = 0.048). Additionally, youth who experienced more types of CM and who had higher levels of sibling support showed lower Time 2 hs-CRP (β = -0.15, p = 0.03). Overall, findings suggest that independent of CM history, greater sibling and peer support were associated with lower hs-CRP and BMI across a two-year period. Although there were no main effects of CM, greater peer support buffered the longitudinal effects of CM history on youth BMI. Additionally, in the context of experiencing multiple types of CM, greater levels of peer and sibling support functioned as protective factors.