Health Over The Life Course

Question 1

Define temporality.

Answer 1

Establishing the timing of events in causal associations (before and after).

Question 2

Why is time important in life courses?

Answer 2

• Dose/duration of exposure may be important
• Historical = changes in norms of society over time influence behaviours, social relations and psychological reactions
• Different responses depending on when events occur§

Question 3

Give examples of socially critical periods in human development.

Answer 3

• Transitions into and through education
• School examinations
• Entry to labour market
• Leaving parental home
• Establishing own residence
• Transition to parenthood

Question 4

Define critical period.

Answer 4

A limited time period during which an exposure has an effect, usually long term.

Question 5

What was Barker’s Fetal hypothesis?

Answer 5

The process whereby a stimulus during critical periods of development during critical periods of development has lasting or lifelong effects on the structure or function of organs.

Question 6

What is effect modification?

Answer 6

The ‘effect’ of an (early life) risk factor depends on the level of a (later life) factor, e.g. social context