This collection welcomes submissions investigating any health outcome resulting from adversity experienced in early life. We are particularly interested in studies focused on prevention, epidemiological factors, pathophysiological mechanisms, the impact of socioeconomic factors, or advances in treatment options. We also welcome manuscripts focused on individual susceptibility or resiliency to these adverse health outcomes, including genetic and environmental influences.

This is a joint Collection across Nature Mental Health, Nature Communications, Communications Medicine, Communications Biology, Communications Psychology, npj Mental Health Research, and Scientific Reports. We encourage authors to choose which journal to submit to according to their own preference. However, before any decision is taken, the relevant journal webpages should be checked to ensure the submission is within the journal’s scope. Each journal will apply its standard editorial criteria for scope and advance. Where submissions are more suitable for another participating journal, editors will recommend submission to a more appropriate alternative journal. Note that Nature Communications and Scientific Reports will only consider original research Articles.