Peer victimization, school belonging, and epigenetic aging among children of Latino immigrants.

U.S.-born children of Latino immigrants often begin life with health advantages, yet the developmental conditions that -sustain or erode these advantages remain unclear. Drawing on socioecological and sociocultural perspectives, this study examined whether peer victimization and school belonging in middle childhood predicted changes in epigenetic aging from childhood to adolescence. These associations were compared between children of immigrant and U.S.-born Latina mothers. Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study data were collected in 2007-2010 and 2014-2017 (N = 341; mean age 9.5 years; 50.7% female). Peer victimization and school belonging were self-reported at age 9, and epigenetic age was estimated at ages 9 and 15 using the Pediatric-Buccal-Epigenetic clock. Among children of immigrant mothers, greater victimization predicted faster aging (β = .57, p = .002), whereas stronger school belonging predicted slower aging (β = -.28, p = .034). Victimization predicted faster epigenetic aging only when school belonging was moderate or high, suggesting that social threat may carry greater biological consequences when children are emotionally invested in school. These patterns were not observed among children of U.S.-born Latina mothers. Experiences of inclusion and exclusion may become biologically embedded, shaping whether early health advantages are maintained or eroded over time.