@misc{ScholaskeLindnerMatthesKurtetal., author = {Scholaske, Laura and Lindner-Matthes, Denise and Kurt, Medlin and Duman, Elif Aysimi and Sahbaz, C. and Spallek, Jacob and Entringer, Sonja}, title = {Intergenerational transmission of health disparities among Turkish-origin residents in Germany: role of maternal stress and stress biology during pregnancy. A study protocol}, series = {European Journal of Public Health}, volume = {28}, journal = {European Journal of Public Health}, number = {Suppl. 1}, issn = {1464-360X}, doi = {10.1093/eurpub/cky048.044}, pages = {S. 126}, abstract = {Background:Turkish-origin immigrants constitute one of the biggest migration groups in Germany where they exhibit higher levels of social disadvantage when compared to the majority population. Research has elucidated the underlying mechanisms by which social disadvantage is biologically embedded to impact health over the lifespan. However, relatively little is known about how its effects are transmitted across generations. Aims of the study: To elucidate the effects of maternal migration status and socioeconomic status on stress-related maternal-placental-foetal (MPF) biological processes across gestation and on subsequent infant birth and health outcomes. Methods: We are conducting a longitudinal cohort study of N = 450 child-mother dyads with serial measures across gestation and birth through the first year of life. Our proposed study population will include approximately equal numbers of Turkish-origin women in Germany, German women in Germany, Turkish women living in Turkey and their offspring. Study visits are conducted from the second trimester of pregnancy to the end of the first year of life to assess maternal socio-economic and migration-related information, psychological well-being, nutrition, medical risk variables, and MPF stress biology markers from maternal blood and saliva samples. Infant anthropometric measures, developmental outcomes and stress markers in saliva are assessed throughout the first year of life. Analyses: We will test specific hypotheses regarding the association between migration background, socioeconomic status and MPF stress biology. We will furthermore quantify the association of maternal migration background- and social disadvantage-related MPF stress biology measures on pregnancy and child health outcomes. Discussion: This is the first study on foetal programming of health disparities with a focus on Turkish-origin women in Germany. The significance and impact of this study derives from the importance of achieving a better understanding of underlying mechanisms that alter disease vulnerability in minority and disadvantaged populations.}, language = {en} } @misc{ScholaskeSpallekDumanetal., author = {Scholaske, Laura and Spallek, Jacob and Duman, Elif Aysimi and Adam, Emma K. and Razum, Oliver and Entringer, Sonja}, title = {Increased Levels of Psychological Stress and Alterations in Stress Biology during Pregnancy among Women of Turkish-Origin in Germany}, series = {Psychoneuroendocrinology}, volume = {153}, journal = {Psychoneuroendocrinology}, publisher = {ScienceDirect}, issn = {0306-4530}, doi = {10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106269}, pages = {1}, abstract = {Background People of Turkish origin constitute one of the biggest migrant groups in Germany. They have an increased risk to develop stress-related health disadvantages, and this risk is also prevalent in the offspring generation from early ages on. We have conducted a multi-site prospective cohort study to examine the role of stress and stress biology in this intergenerational perpetuation of health disparities. Methods 140 pregnant women (33 of Turkish origin) participated in a prospective cohort study with two study visits during pregnancy and one after birth (T1: 20-25 weeks of gestation, T2: 30-35 weeks of gestation, T3: four weeks after birth). At T1 and T2, women completed the Perceived Stress Scale and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and collected saliva samples after awakening, 30 minutes after awakening, and in the evening, and venous blood samples were collected for analysis of CRP and IL-6 concentrations. Results Multilevel models showed that Turkish-origin women exhibited higher levels of perceived stress and depressive symptoms, had increased inflammatory levels (Spallek et al., 2021), a blunted cortisol awakening response and flatter diurnal cortisol slope during pregnancy compared to non-migrant women after adjustment for socioeconomic factors.Some of the effects were mainly driven by 2nd generation migrants. Conclusions Increased levels of psychosocial stress and stress-related biological alterations among Turkish-origin pregnant women may contribute to the intergenerational transmission of health disadvantages in this group.}, language = {de} }