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@ARTICLE{Stoffel:306219,
      author       = {M. Stoffel and J. Stevenson-Hoare$^*$ and B. Schöttker$^*$
                      and J. Hammer and H. Brenner$^*$ and B. Ditzen},
      title        = {{T}he experience of social loss and epigenome-wide {DNA}
                      methylation.},
      journal      = {Social science $\&$ medicine},
      volume       = {388},
      issn         = {0277-9536},
      address      = {Amsterdam [u.a.]},
      publisher    = {Elsevier Science},
      reportid     = {DKFZ-2025-02448},
      pages        = {118718},
      year         = {2026},
      note         = {ISSN 0277-9536},
      abstract     = {Social loss is associated with mental and physical health
                      problems. Considering known risk and resilience factors, we
                      hypothesized that epigenome-wide DNA methylation (DNAm)
                      would be associated with social loss.A total of N = 1865
                      participants aged 50-75 years with epigenome-wide DNAm
                      measurements obtained from whole blood samples were
                      included. Using cross-sectional data, relationship status
                      (married/divorced/widowed) was expected to predict
                      differences in DNAm between married persons and persons who
                      experienced social loss (divorced/widowhood). Additionally,
                      social factors (i.e., the number of close social
                      relationships and household size), the polygenic risk score
                      for depression, a history of depression, and biological sex
                      were considered as moderators. Predicted differences in DNAm
                      were calculated (Δ-beta values).Without considering
                      moderators, there was only one differentially methylated
                      position (DMP; cg01450896), comparing married and widowed
                      persons (b = 0.098, q = 0.022; Δ-beta = |0.015|). However,
                      there were a variety of DMPs for the comparison between
                      married persons and those who experienced social loss when
                      the moderators were factored in, especially those indicative
                      of social integration and social connectedness. Δ-beta
                      values varied considerably as a function of changes in the
                      moderators.Changes in DNAm might contribute to the
                      health-related effects of social loss. In line with his,
                      many of the discovered DMPs were associated with
                      health-related traits in previous studies. However, the
                      reported effects were highly dependent on the moderators
                      assessed and specific to divorce and widowhood. The results
                      could provide a first step toward better understanding and
                      treating individuals who experienced social loss.},
      keywords     = {DNA methylation (Other) / Epigenome-wide analysis (Other) /
                      Polygenic risk score for depression (Other) / Social
                      connectedness (Other) / Social integration (Other) / Social
                      loss (Other)},
      cin          = {C070},
      ddc          = {610},
      cid          = {I:(DE-He78)C070-20160331},
      pnm          = {313 - Krebsrisikofaktoren und Prävention (POF4-313)},
      pid          = {G:(DE-HGF)POF4-313},
      typ          = {PUB:(DE-HGF)16},
      pubmed       = {pmid:41242159},
      doi          = {10.1016/j.socscimed.2025.118718},
      url          = {https://inrepo02.dkfz.de/record/306219},
}